Your agricultural land is a valuable asset to the
citizens of Rockingham County
Citizens of Rockingham County derive many benefits
from your farmland: clean water and air, plant and
animal habitat, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and
dairy products, horticultural products, and scenic
rural vistas. Now you can enroll in a program that
demonstrates your pride and commitment to
agriculture, and celebrates your contribution to the
exceptional quality of life in Rockingham County.
Printable Voluntary Agricultural District Brochure
Voluntary agricultural districts promote the pride
and tradition of Rockingham County agriculture
Rockingham County’s Voluntary Agricultural
Program enhances the identity of the agricultural
community by encouraging the voluntary
preservation and protection of farmland from non-
farm development.
How your farm can benefit from becoming a
Voluntary Agricultural District
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Recognition
Signs (as shown) are available in two sizes to
landowners for placement on their farm identifying it
as a part of the Rockingham County Voluntary
Agricultural District. These signs will tell passersby
that you, the farm owner, are committed to the
preservation of the agricultural way of life in
Rockingham County.
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Increased protection from nuisance suits
Persons buying land in rural areas will do so with the
knowledge that a bona fide agricultural operation
exists. Agricultural Districts will be identified on
County maps, which shall be displayed for public
view in County offices including offices of the
Planning Department and the Register of Deeds.
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Waiver of water and sewer assessments
Landowners within Agricultural Districts will not be
required to connect to water or sewer systems owned
and/or operated by Rockingham County, nor will
they be assessed water and sewer charges until their
property is connected to such service.
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Eligibility for preservation funds
Agricultural
Districts may be eligible for farmland preservation
grants, should funding become available from local,
state, or federal sources.
How your farm can become a Voluntary
Agricultural District
To become an Agricultural District, a farm must first
be certified as Qualifying Farmland. To secure
certification, a farm must:
- Be participating in the farm Present Use Value
Taxation program or is otherwise determined by
the Rockingham County Tax Department to meet
all the qualifications of this program set forth in
G.S. 105-277.3.
- Be certified by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service as being a farm on which:
-at least two-thirds of the land is composed of
soils that are best suited for agricultural
purposes; or
-at least two-thirds of the land has been actively
used in agricultural, horticultural, or forestry
operations during each of the last five years.
- Be managed, if highly erodible land exists on the
farm, in accordance with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service defined erosion control
practices that are addressed to highly erodible
land.
- Be the subject of an agreement between the
county and the owner of the land.
An Agricultural district, when initially established,
shall contain the minimum amount of land required
for taxation based on farm use evaluation: 5 acres for
horticulture use, 10 acres for agriculture use, or 20
acres for forestry use. When considering acreage,
leased and/or rented land for the purpose of
agriculture will be taken into account.
Contact one of the agencies listed in this brochure for
more information on qualifying as a Voluntary
Agricultural District.
Agricultural district membership requires a
voluntary, non-binding agreement
A Voluntary Agricultural District member will be
subject to a non-binding agreement between the
County and the landowner that prohibits non-farm
use or development of such land for a period of at
least 10 years, except for the creation of not more
than three lots that meet applicable county zoning
and subdivision regulations.
Member may revoke membership at any time
Should you decide to sell your land you may revoke
the agreement at any time through a written notice to
the County.