TITLE
Title
APPROVE THREE (3) VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT (VAD) APPLICATION
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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 61of Chapter 106 of the North Carolina General Statutes: The Farmland Preservation Enabling Act.
During its August 18, 2025 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:
1. VAD application #2025-08, being parcel # 135392, 17.94 acres and parcel # 135415 at 614 Ritters Lake Rd. Greensboro, NC 27406. Owned by Patrick and Dawn Short.
Additionally, during its January 20, 2025 meeting the Guilford County Agricultural Advisory Board voted to recommend approval of the following applications to the Guilford County Board ofCommissioners pursuant to Sec. 15-66 of the Guilford County Code of Ordinances:
2. VAD application #2025-01, being 21.83 acres and comprised of 1 tax parcel
133780 being 21.83 acres. Owned by Robert Dean & Sandra Kiger 4226 Williams Dairy Rd.
Greensboro, NC 27406.
3. VAD application #2025-02, being 15.97 acres and comprised of 1 tax parcel
133763. Owned by Brandon Dean Kiger 4231 Williams Dairy Rd.
Greensboro, NC 27406.
To date, approval of these application brings the total number of VAD and EVAD parcels to 441, totaling 19,223.72 acres enrolled. of these totals, 398 parcels compromising 17,458.04 acres are enrolled in VAD and 43 parcels comprising 1,765.68 acres are enrolled in the EVAD.
The VAD applications are subject to a non-binding agreement 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 three (3) Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) applications.
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