In 1985, North Carolina passed the Farmland Preservation Enabling Act authorizing counties to establish programs directed at the protection and preservation of farmland. This included the establishment of agricultural districts. Cabarrus County’s Farmland Preservation Ordinance, created in 2005, was created to help protect working farms, forests, and open spaces that define the county’s rural character. Through this ordinance, landowners can voluntarily enroll their property in one of two programs — the Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) or the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) — to recognize, preserve, and promote agricultural land use.
Why It Matters
Cabarrus County’s VAD and EVAD programs are about more than just paperwork — they’re a way to honor and preserve the agricultural heritage that shaped the community. They offer farmers and landowners recognition, protection, and a stronger voice in land use decisions, all while ensuring that farmland remains a cornerstone of the county’s landscape for generations to come.
What is a Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD)?
A Voluntary Agricultural District is a locally designated area where landowners voluntarily agree to keep their land in agricultural, horticultural, or forestry use, helping strengthen the agricultural community and reduce conflicts between farming and non-farming neighbors.
Key Benefits of VAD Enrollment:
Enrollment in a Voluntary Agricultural District provides important recognition and protection for agricultural operations by formally identifying participating land as part of an agricultural district. This designation helps ensure that individuals purchasing property in rural areas are aware that a bona fide agricultural operation exists nearby and that normal farming activities—such as equipment operation, livestock noise, and dust—are expected and protected from nuisance complaints. All Voluntary Agricultural Districts are identified on county maps displayed in county offices, including the Planning Department and Register of Deeds, increasing awareness of agriculture throughout Cabarrus County. Landowners within Agricultural Districts are not required to connect to Cabarrus County–owned or operated water and sewer systems and are not assessed water and sewer charges unless a connection is made. As funding becomes available from local, state, or federal sources, Agricultural Districts may be eligible for farmland preservation grants and other conservation opportunities. Overall, participation in the VAD program helps preserve open space and working farmland, ensuring agriculture remains a valued, visible, and viable land use as Cabarrus County continues to grow.
Landowners sign a 10-year conservation agreement with the County that restricts non-farm development during that period. This agreement is revocable, meaning a landowner may withdraw from the program with written notice.
What Is a Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD)?
The Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) program offers all the benefits of the standard VAD, with added incentives for landowners who make a longer-term commitment to keeping their land in agricultural use.
Key Benefits of Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) Enrollment:
In addition to the benefits provided through enrollment in a standard Voluntary Agricultural District, participation in an Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District offers additional protections and opportunities for qualifying farms. EVAD enrollment increases eligibility for funding by allowing farms to receive a higher percentage of cost-share assistance and priority consideration for certain state and federal grant programs. EVAD farms also have greater flexibility in farm income, permitting up to 25% of gross income to come from specific non-farm products while still qualifying for agricultural exemptions. Enhanced protection from non-farm development and condemnation actions further strengthens the security of EVAD-enrolled land. Together, these benefits reflect a long-term commitment to preserving working farmland and support broader community planning and environmental conservation goals.
EVAD enrollment comes with a binding 10-year conservation agreement that cannot be revoked by the landowner during that period. The agreement is recorded with the Register of Deeds and remains with the property — applying to heirs or new owners if the land is sold. At the end of the 10 years, the landowner can choose to renew or withdraw the property from the program.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for either a VAD or EVAD, the property must:
- Be in bona fide farm use, as defined by North Carolina law (G.S. 106-581.1).
- Meet minimum acreage requirements (20 contiguous acres or a cluster of farms totaling 20 acres).
- Be the subject of a recorded 10-year conservation agreement with the County that commits to agricultural use.
Get Involved
If you own farmland in Cabarrus County and want to ensure it stays in agricultural use while benefiting from local recognition and support, consider enrolling in the Voluntary Agricultural District or Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District program.
To learn more or start your application, contact the Cabarrus County Agricultural Advisory Board or the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center at (704) 920-3310 or visit cabarrus.ces.ncsu.edu.
