Agricultural Advisory Board
Agricultural Advisory Board
For decades North Carolina has led the nation in farm loss. To combat the loss of our farmland to development, the Farmland Preservation Program was developed by County Ordinance Chapter 58 Article III. The ordinance provided for the establishment of the Agriculture Advisory Board and created the pathway for developing Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VAD) and for the Buncombe County SWCD to hold conservation easements. Since its inception, the program has grown to holding conservation easements on farmland and forestland, managing Voluntary Agricultural Districts/Enhanced Voluntary Ag Districts and promoting agriculture throughout Buncombe County. This three-legged approach helps to protect valuable agricultural lands from development, protects farmers from nuisance suits, and promotes economic vitality in the agricultural sector.
Buncombe County is seen as a trailblazer in land conservation across the state, being the first to take many steps in conservation:
First to adopt Farmland Preservation Ordinance
First to adopt a Farmland Protection Plan
First to have a Farmland Preservation Program to hold easements
First to provide financial support to easements to county and land trust entities
The Buncombe County Ag Advisory Board:
Reviews and makes recommendations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts
Reviews and makes recommendations concerning any ordinance or amendment adopted or proposed for adoption
Holds public hearings on public projects likely to have an impact on agricultural operations, particularly if such projects involve condemnation of all or part of any qualifying farm
Advises the governing body of the county or city on projects, programs, or issues affecting the agricultural economy or way of life within the county
Performs other related tasks or duties assigned by the governing board of the county or city
To learn more about Ag Advisory Board visit the board website or the GIS Story Map .
Thank You! Celebrating Landowners Who Have Preserved Working Farms and Open Land in Buncombe County
Click the image below to read the article . 
Open Space Bonds
Click the image below to visit the Open Space Bond Page to learn more about additional farmland conservation projects.
