Ag Advisory Board Meeting | April 21, 2026

Library Advisory Board Meeting Recap: April 21, 2026

The Library Advisory Board convened on April 21st, 2026, to primarily address updates to the county’s farmland preservation ordinance and consider its future implications. The meeting, attended by board members and a representative from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Forestry (NCDA) Farmland Preservation Program, centered on ensuring the county's regulations align with recent state law changes and effectively support local agriculture.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing proposed revisions to the farmland preservation ordinance, presented by Corey Holman from the NCDA ADFP. The discussion focused on Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) and Enhanced VADs, highlighting their role in protecting farmland, minimizing neighbor disputes, and promoting agricultural activity within the county. A key point of discussion revolved around new state law requiring public hearings for certain actions impacting farmland within VADs and EVADs, including condemnations and rezoning requests. Board members explored how these requirements will affect their processes moving forward, particularly regarding public notification and potential recommendations.

Following a brief discussion about the county’s internal ranking system for farmland preservation applications, the board took several key actions. The agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were unanimously approved. Most notably, the board voted to adopt the revised farmland preservation ordinance, reverting back to a minimum acreage requirement of 10 acres for VAD eligibility. This decision ensures the county's ordinance is consistent with current state guidelines and provides a clear framework for farmland preservation efforts.

While no public comments were received during the meeting, officials emphasized the importance of transparency and communication surrounding farmland preservation. Corey Holman underscored VADs as a crucial starting point for protecting agricultural land and highlighted the state's commitment to increased public input in decisions affecting farmland. Board members echoed this sentiment, expressing their desire for staff to be well-prepared to navigate the new public hearing requirements and maintain a strong relationship with landowners.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified. County staff will review procedures with the planning department to ensure compliance with the updated ordinance, especially during rezoning and development reviews. A review of the county’s farmland preservation ranking system is scheduled for the May meeting, and the adopted ordinance revisions will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final approval on May 5th. Finally, board members were encouraged to attend the upcoming VAD conference in Cherokee, NC, in July. These steps will ensure a smooth transition to the revised ordinance and continued effective implementation of farmland preservation strategies within the county.