Purpose
The Yancey County Farmland Preservation Program promotes agricultural values and the general welfare of the county and more specifically, increases identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life. This program encourages the economic and financial health of agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The program works to increase protection from non-farm development and other negative impacts on properly managed farms.
This program is made possible by the "Yancey County Farmland Preservation Act" (VAD/EVAD ordinance). View the ordinance.Basically, Yancey County has established Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) or Enhanced Voluntary Agriculture Districts (EVADs) to protect and preserve agricultural lands and activities.Enrolling Your Farm into a VAD/EVAD
Steps to Enroll Your farm:
1. Review to see if your farm qualifies for enrollment.
2. Complete the Application and submit it.
Remit application to David Davis (david_davis@ncsu.edu) by email, or mail a copy to the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County office.
3. Receive a letter from N.C. Cooperative Extension in Yancey County that indicates the date of the next meeting of the Yancey County Agricultural Advisory Board when the application for farm enrollment will be reviewed for eligibility of enrollment. Applicant can attend the meeting if desired.
4. Receive a notice of approval/denial for farm enrollment into an EVAD/VAD from the Yancey County Agricultural Advisory Board. If approved, take steps to complete and file the necessary "Conservation Agreement". If denied and desire to appeal, consider right to appeal decision according to the Yancey County Ordinance "Yancey County Farmland Preservation Act".
5. When farms are approved for enrollment, approved applicants will be contacted by N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County to complete a Conservation Agreement. This includes signing and notarizing the agreement.
6. File the Conservation Agreement with the Yancey County Register of Deeds. There is a standard filing fee (currently $26) that must be paid at the time of filing.
7. Enrolled/registered farms in EVADs/VADs are mapped in the Yancey County GIS system. Any property deed search for properties within 1/2 mile will receive notice of VAD/EVAD enrollment.
If you have any questions about the Yancey County Farmland Preservation Program, or would like to know more about the requirements and benefits of enrolling farms into EVADs or VADs, please contact David Davis (david_davis@ncsu.edu) by email or by calling (828) 682-6186.
