Voluntary Agricultural District


The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors has created a voluntary and non-binding Agricultural District Program in Wake County. The purpose of this program is to increase the visibility of farm communities in the county; focus more attention on the importance of these communities to the county; work with the county to make it easier for those who wish to stay in farming to continue doing so; advise the county on issues affecting agriculture; give farm owners a greater voice in local government decisions affecting their community; and reduce conflicts between farm and non-farm land uses.

The guidelines for this program are covered by State law (N.C.G.S. 106-735 through 106-743, Farmland Preservation Enabling Act). Since these statutes were enacted, 20 county programs have been created.
Voluntary Agricultural District sign
The Wake County VAD program summary:

  • A seven (7)-member Agricultural Advisory Board will be appointed by the Wake County Board of Commissioners to manage the program. Five (5) members would be farm owners, one (1) member would work in agribusiness, and one (1) member would be a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. All members would be recommended to the Commissioners for appointment by the Soil and Water Conservation District, Wake Cooperative Extension, the county FSA Committee, and the Wake County Farm Bureau. Until the Advisory Board is established, the Wake Soil and Water Conservation Board of Supervisors acts as the Advisory Board.
  • The Advisory Board would consider applications from landowners to form agricultural districts; conduct hearings on public projects (roads, schools, etc.) that might have a negative effect on agriculture in a district; and advise the county on other issues affecting local agriculture.
  • Farmers wishing to participate in the program sign a simple application indicating that they plan to remain in farming for the next 10 years. They can withdraw from the program at any time.
  • Signs will be erected along the roads in Agricultural Districts, identifying them as such.
  • Participants in the program are exempt from paying assessments for water/sewer lines extended past their property.
  • All purchasers of land near agricultural districts are notified that they should expect dust, machinery noise, animal waste/chemical odors, and other similar things associated with living in a farming area.

The full text of the ordinance is also available for viewing, above right.

Please contact Natural Resource Conservationist Dale Threatt-Taylor at 919-250-1068 for more information.

Wake Soil and Water Conservation District
4001D Carya Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610-2921
919-250-1050