Voluntary Ag. District (VAD)
Enhanced Volutary Ag. District (EVAD)
Benefits
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Increased protection from nuisance lawsuits with notice is provided through computerized county land records systems
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Public hearings for proposed condemnation of enrolled land
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Water and Sewer assessments may be suspended or waived if the land is in VAD but not connected to the utility in question
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Signage to publicize the land’s enrollment in the program
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Flexibility in city ordinances related to farming operations within a city’s planning jurisdiction
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Greater public awareness of the local agricultural community and increased pride in its way of life
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Increased protection from nuisance lawsuits with notice is provided through computerized county land records systems
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Public hearings for proposed condemnation of enrolled land
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Water and Sewer assessments may be suspended or waived if the land is in VAD but not connected to the utility in question
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Signage to publicize the land’s enrollment in the program
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Flexibility in city ordinances related to farming operations within a city’s planning jurisdiction
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Greater public awareness of the local agricultural community and increased pride in its way of life
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Landowners are eligible to receive a higher percentage of cost-share under Ag-cost share program (as high as 90%)
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Utility assessments may be suspended or waived if the land is in EVAD but not connected to the utility in question
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The farm may receive up to 25% of gross sales from the sale of non-farm products and still maintain its zoning exemption as a bona fide farm
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Landowners may experience fewer unsolicited requests from developers to sell the land, due to the 10-year irrevocable conservation agreement
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Landowners can stabilize the use of their land while considering longer-term options, such as permanent working land conservation easements
Eligibilty
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Minimum Acreage: Horticulture ≥ 5 ac., Agricultural ≥ 10 ac., Forestry ≥ 20 ac.
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The land must be part of the present-use-value taxation program or be determined eligible for the program
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The land must be managed in accordance with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service guidelines with respect to highly erodible land
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Minimum Acreage: Horticulture ≥ 5 ac., Agricultural ≥ 10 ac., Forestry ≥ 20 ac.
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The land must be part of the present-use-value taxation program or be determined eligible for the program
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The land must be managed in accordance with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service guidelines with respect to highly erodible land
Requirements
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The land must be subject to a conservation agreement between the landowner and the county that prohibits non-farm use or development for a period of at least 10-years
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At the end of its initial term of at least 10-years, the VAD conservation agreement automatically renews for successive terms of 3 more years, unless the landowner provides a 30-day written notice. Ending the agreement will result in the property no long qualifying for the VAD program and its benefits.
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The land must be subject to a conservation agreement between the landowner and the county that prohibits non-farm use or development for a period of at least 10-years, except that the agreement is IRREVOCABLE during the term of the agreement
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At the end of its initial term of at least 10-years, the EVAD conservation agreement automatically renews for 3 more years and remains IRREVOCABLE, unless the landowner provides a 30-day written notice prior to the termination date of the conservation agreement. Ending the agreement will result in the property no long qualifying for the EVAD program and its benefits.