TITLE
Title
APPROVE TWO (2) VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT (VAD) AND ONE (1) ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT (EVAD)APPLICATIONS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Natalie Owens, Guilford County Extension Director
Marcus Williams, Agriculture Agent
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BACKGROUND
Background
The purpose of Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts (EVADs) is to promote the preservation of farmland in Guilford County so that development and growth will be accompanied by protection of farms and non-farm development and other negative impacts on properly managed farms, recognizing the importance of agriculture to the economic and cultural life of the county. VADs and EVADs designate where bonafide agricultural operations are happening on the property, protect the property owner from nuisance lawsuits related to normal farming operations, provide public awareness of agriculture, notify adjacent landowners and those considering purchasing adjacent properties about the farming operations, give eligibility for some cost-share programs for conservation, and exempt the landowner from some municipal requirements.
Guilford County established VAD/EVAD in Article III of Chapter 15 of the Guilford County Code of Ordinances and is authorized by Article 61 of Chapter 106 of the North Carolina General Statutes: The Farmland Preservation Enabling Act.
During its August 24, 2026 meeting, the Guilford County Agricultural Advisory Board voted to recommend approval of the following applications to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners pursuant to Sec. 15-66 of the Guilford County Code of Ordinances:
• VAD application #2026-03, being approximately 41.60 acres and comprised of 2 tax parcels #230056 being 24.20 acres and #110280 being 17.40 acres. Owned by Ronnie James Barrier Jr. and Sydney Sanders Barrier of Julian, NC.
• EVAD application #2026-04, being approximately 39.34 acres and comprised of 3 tax parcels #131059, #131060, and #135082. The property is associated with Wilson Elkins/LKE Properties II LLC and is located in the Pleasant Garden area.
• VAD application #2026-05, being approximately 114.93 acres and comprised of 1 tax parcel #132400. Owned by Brandon T. Marshall and Anna F. Marshall of 6920 McClellan Rd., Pleasant Garden, NC 27313.
To date, approval of these applications brings the total number of VAD and EVAD parcels to 444, totaling 19,419.59 acres enrolled. of these totals, 400 parcels compromising 17,614.57 acres are enrolled in VAD and 44 parcels comprising 1,805.19 acres are enrolled in the EVAD. The five (5) year average of VAD/EVAD acreage added is 187.68 per year.
The VAD applications are subject to a non-binding/ binding agreement and between the County and the landowners that prohibits non-farm use or development of land for a period of at least ten (10) years. There is an exception for the creation of not more than three (3) lots that meet applicable county zoning and subdivision regulations. If an applicant decides to remove his or her farm from the VAD program or if the land is sold, the applicant can revoke the agreement by giving notice to the VAD Board.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve the two (2) Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and one (1) Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) applications.
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