Frequently Asked Questions

The State of North Carolina passed the Farmland Preservation Enabling Act in 1985, authorizing counties to establish farmland preservation programs, including agricultural districts. In 1992, Orange County adopted a Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance, creating the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) and procedures for establishing Voluntary Agricultural Districts.  The ordinance was last updated in 2022 and can be found here.

The Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) is composed of a number of County residents, including farmers representing Agricultural Districts. APB members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The APB reviews and approves applications to the Voluntary Agricultural Districts program. They also make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on other issues related to the preservation of farmland in Orange County.

A Voluntary Agricultural District member will be subject to a non-binding conservation agreement between the County and the landowner that prohibits non-farm use of development of that land for a period of at least 10 years. However, up to three lots may be developed on a parcel of land within a district.

An Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District is subject to an irrevocable conservation agreement between the County and the landowner that prohibits non-farm use of development of that land for a period of at least 10 years. This agreement is notarized and recorded with the Register of Deeds.

Yes!  Check out our brochure for more details.

Should a participating farmer decide to sell their land, a Voluntary Agricultural District member may revoke the conservation agreement through a written notice to the Agricultural Preservation Board.  The new landowner has the option to re-enroll the land in the Voluntary Agricultural District program.

The conservation agreement is irrevocable for the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District for the 10-year period and conveys with the land.

Nothing!  Orange County provides up to two VAD signs per qualifying farm and installs them along the public road by your farm to provide notification of program membership. 

Visit the Orange County Land Records and GIS Services page and click on the GIS Maps link. Search for your land by name, address, or PIN. Click on the “layers” tab and make sure the box is checked next to “VAD” to show the parcels in the program.

You can reach out to the NC Forest Service to request assistance with a forest management plan.  Another option is to search for a private consultant.

Visit the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for more information.