Voluntary Agriculture Districts
Voluntary Agriculture District Program
The Voluntary Ag District (VAD) Program was established across the state with the purpose of bringing pride to our farmers and awareness to citizens. Durham County’s VAD program began in 1996 and is supported by the Farmland Protection Advisory Board.
Program Details
Voluntary Program
The VAD Program is a voluntary program. Participants declare their interest in joining the program by signing a non-binding document stating their intent to sustain, promote, and encourage agriculture. They also agree to prohibit non-farm use of the land.
Eligibility
To qualify for the VAD program, tracts of land must:
- Have a minimum of 20 acres of qualified forestry, 10 acres of agriculture, or 5 acres of horticulture.
- Be enrolled in the Present Use Value tax program.
Eligibility requirements are subject to change with ordinance updates.
Benefits of Enrolling in the VAD
- Notice on property with a sign and on country maps warning potential neighbors of noise, odor, dust, or slow-moving vehicles within a half mile radius.
- Potential to influence county ordinances and planning measures affecting agricultural land.
- Waiver of water and sewer assessments on land if the service is not used.
- Higher ranking when applying for grants or conservation easements on property.
- The right to a public hearing held by the Farmland Protection Advisory Board if the land in an agricultural district is considered for a public project that may condemn the land.
Apply
Contact Sherry Scully to receive your application. Submit your completed applications by mailing it to our office.
Your application will be reviewed by the Farmland Board for approval. Once approved, it is recorded with the Register of Deeds.
Contact Us
Sherry Scully
Durham Soil and Water Conservation District
201 E Main Street, 5th FL
Durham, NC 27701