Voluntary Agricultural Districts

Voluntary Agricultural Districts

Working Together to Protect Farms and Strengthen Community

In 1985, North Carolina created the Farmland Preservation Enabling Act, allowing each county to set up programs that protect working farms and open spaces. In response, the Pitt County Board of Commissioners adopted the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) Ordinance. This ordinance formed the Agricultural Advisory Board and outlined how local districts can be created.

The program celebrates Pitt County’s strong farming heritage by helping landowners keep their property in agricultural use and reduce pressure from non-farm development. Joining a VAD helps preserve farmland, protect rural character, and support the local economy. By enrolling, landowners show their commitment to agriculture while receiving recognition, protection, and program benefits.

  1. Benefits of Enrollment
  2. Enrollment Guidelines

Values of a Voluntary Agricultural District

Joining a Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) helps farmers and landowners protect their property, preserve Pitt County’s rural character, and gain recognition for their role in keeping local agriculture strong.

VAD Sign

Participation also brings recognition through signage, showing passersby that the farm owner is committed to an agricultural way of life in Pitt County.

Benefits Include:

  • Farmland Preservation: Helps keep working farms in production and reduces pressure from development. Enrollment shows a clear, public commitment to maintaining farmland for future generations. It also informs new landowners about nearby farming activities, such as dust, noise, and smells, helping reduce conflicts between neighbors. Farmland within a VAD must also be considered a last resort if public projects require land acquisition.
  • Community Awareness: Roadside VAD signs remind neighbors and visitors that active farming takes place in the area, reducing misunderstandings about normal agricultural operations.
  • Extra Protection: Enrolled land receives special consideration during planning for public projects like road widening or utility installations, making it less likely to be affected by construction or easements.
  • Conservation Support: Participation requires an approved conservation plan through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), ensuring soil, water, and natural resources are managed responsibly and sustainably.
  • Stronger Voice for Agriculture: Joining a VAD highlights the importance of farming in Pitt County and gives local producers a stronger voice in community and land use planning decisions.
  • Voluntary and Flexible: Enrollment is not permanent. Landowners may withdraw at any time with written notice. It’s a simple, low-risk way to support farmland preservation.
  • Public Benefits: Protects open space, supports local food production, and strengthens the local economy through continued agricultural activity.