The Person County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) programs are established under the Person County Farmland Preservation Ordinance. The Person County Agricultural Advisory Board (AAB) is responsible for overseeing these programs but are administered by the Soil & Water Department.  

Purpose:

• Encourages the preservation and protection of farmland from non-farm development
• Creates a sense of community among rural agricultural landowners
• Recognizes the importance of agriculture to the economic and social well-being of Person County

Property Eligibility:

• Real property located in Person County 
• Must be used for bona fide farm purposes
• Subject of a conservation agreement prohibiting non-farm use or development for 10 years
• Managed by highly erodible erosion control pratices 

Minimum Acreage Requirements: 

• Twenty (20) contiguous acres of qualified forest land
• Ten (10) contiguous acres of qualified farm land
• Five (5) contiguous acres of qualified horticultural land

• Recognition & public education about agriculture
• Decrease the likelihood of legal disputes, such as nuisance actions between farm owners and their neighbors  
• Waiver of water and sewer assessments  
• Public hearings required for proposed condemnation   
• Eligibility for funding 

Additional EVAD Program Benefits:

In addition to the above listed benefits, EVAD members also have the following benefits:

• Eligibility to sale non-farm products. 
• Waiver of county utility assessments. 
• Eligibility for higher cost share funding. 
• Higher ranking and priority for  grants and program. 

Complete requirements and eligibility information are detailed in the Farmland Preservation Ordinance.  

See the VAD/EVAD Flyer for a quick overview and differences of the VAD/EVAD programs. Download, complete and submit the VAD/EVAD application to the Soil and Water office to participate. Staff is available to assist and answer any questions.