Preserving Our Farms: Mecklenburg County Adopts Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance

The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance establishing a Voluntary Agricultural District program, a major step forward in the County’s efforts to preserve farmland, support farmers, and promote agriculture.

The ordinance allows for the creation of Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VAD) and Enhanced VADs. The VAD and Enhanced VADs aim to bring increased visibility to farms, as well as promote the value and welfare of local agriculture, decrease the likelihood of legal disputes between farm owners and their neighbors, and increase protection of farmland from non-farm development.  

The ordinance also includes conservation agreements between the landowner and County. These 10-year agreements are aimed to prohibit nonfarm use or development.

Bona fide farms can voluntarily apply to participate and receive benefits for their participation.

“We have over 10,000 acres of agricultural land remaining in Mecklenburg County, including horticulture, livestock, and forestry,” said Erin Stanforth, Mecklenburg County sustainability and resiliency manager. “The Voluntary Agricultural District ordinance provides farmers a stronger voice in County government to help them advocate for themselves and the agricultural community.”  

The programs will be administered by the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District, with support from Mecklenburg County and NC Cooperative Extension – Mecklenburg County Center. The City of Charlotte, and the towns of Matthews, Huntersville, Mint Hill, Pineville, Davidson and Cornelius have all voiced their support of this program and farms within their municipal boundaries can apply to take part in the program.

With the approval of the ordinance, the County will also establish an Agricultural Advisory Board comprised of residents who are actively engaged in agriculture. Members of the board will consider VAD/EVAD applications; conduct hearings on public projects that propose to condemn or rezone VAD or EVAD enrolled parcels; and advise the County on issues affecting local agriculture. This Board will help give greater voice to the local agricultural community.

Applications for the Agricultural Advisory Board are now being accepted. 

Applications for farms to participate in the VAD or Enhanced VAD program are also now open. Bona fide farms can learn more and apply to take part at MeckNC.gov/VAD.