Source: NCDA&CS, 1/31/14

The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will hold three workshops across the state for local governments interested in protecting their communities’ agricultural lands.

The Voluntary Agricultural District workshops are for agricultural advisory board members, county representatives, program staff, farmers, landowners, elected officials and anyone interested in farmland preservation and the administration of the Voluntary Agricultural Districts program. The workshops are free and open to the public.

Workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the following dates:
•      Feb. 26 – Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle, Greenville;
•      Mar. 12 – McSwain Extension Education & Agricultural Center, 2420 Tramway Road, Sanford;
•      Mar. 26 – Caldwell County Agricultural Center, 120 Hospital Avenue NE, Suite 1, Lenoir.

This year, the workshops will feature breakout sessions. Participants will choose their preferred topics during registration. Topics covered at the workshops include the basics of conservation agreements and easement programs, present-use value, estate planning and tax preparedness, Voluntary Agricultural District program management and upcoming changes to agricultural policy.

North Carolina currently has 86 counties with active Voluntary Agricultural Districts.
For more information and to register, go to www.ncadfp.org/VADWorkshops.htm.