Skip to main content

Logo for N.C. Cooperative Extension N.C. Cooperative Extension Homepage

Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts (EVADs)

en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Lee County Voluntary Agricultural District SignThese programs recognize the importance of agriculture to the wellbeing of Lee County by encouraging voluntary preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development. To be eligible, farmland, forestland and horticultural lands must meet the following requirements:

Be used for bona fide farm purposes as that term is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-903 and contain at least one of the following contiguous acreages of farmland:

  • 1 (one) acre of land in production for horticultural or agricultural purposes or
  • 10 (ten) acres of land for field crops or livestock or
  • 20 (twenty) acres of forestry production with a forestry management plan

VAD and EVAD Benefits:

  • Preserves and maintains agricultural areas in the county
  • Informs non-farming neighbors and potential land purchasers that the participating farm may emit noise, dust, and smells, which may avoid conflicts between neighbors and potential nuisance claims
  • Gives the farming community an enhanced voice in decisions affecting farmland
  • Conserves open space and natural resources as the county’s population and development expand.

Revised Lee County Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Ordinance
Adopted by the Lee County Commissioners on 03/03/25

The purpose of Lee County’s Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Ordinance is to encourage the preservation and protection of family farms, to increase the visibility of agricultural, forestry and horticultural operations and to protect and to promote these land uses.

An Agricultural Advisory Board has been appointed by the Lee County Commissioners to administer the program. N.C. Cooperative Extension in Lee County and Lee County Soil and Water District work closely with the Board in implementing the program.

The “Application to Serve on Boards/Commissions” is posted on line at the County website.

Lee County Voluntary Agricultural District Brochure – Under Construction

North Carolina Voluntary Agriculture Districts Map (Updated 9-23-24)

County Voluntary Agricultural Districts Map – updated September 2024

_________________________________________________________

If you are interested in enrolling your land into either the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) or Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) program, please complete both the application and conservation agreement linked below and return to the N.C. Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center located at 2420 Tramway Road, Sanford N.C. 27332.

Lee County Voluntary Agricultural District and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Application

 Lee County Voluntry Agricultural District Conservation Agreement

Lee County Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Conservation Agreement

_________________________________________________________

Written By

Rhonda Gaster, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionRhonda GasterCounty Extension Administrative Assistant Call Rhonda Email Rhonda N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center
Page Last Updated: 3 days ago
Was the information on this page helpful? Yes check No close