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CREP, landowners can voluntarily enroll eligible land in 10 -year, 15 -year, 30 -year, and permanent contracts. The state will pay additional bonuses to landowners that enroll land in 30 -year and permanent agreements. Cost sharing will be available for installation of forested riparian buffers, grassed filter strips, wetlands restoration practices, water control structures, livestock exclusion, and remote livestock watering in order to increase the efficiency of enrolled practices. Currently available in the Neuse, Tar - Pamlico and Chowan river basins and the Jordan Lake watersheds . 30 d. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) The Wetlands Reserve Program offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The NRCS provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. The WRP offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 30 -year easements, and restoration cost -share agreements of minimum 10 -year duration. e. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) This program provides a source of funding for nutrient management systems. The program offers technical, financial, and educational assistance in designated priority areas to install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices called for in five to ten year contracts for most agricultural land uses. f. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) This program encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of national, state, tribal and local significance by providing technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property. 6 State Right-to-Farm Law By statute, North Carolina farmers are granted the right to farm without legal interference from non -farm neighbors and local governing bodies, subject to certain limitations. Pre - litigation mediation of farm nuisance claims is mandatory . 32 7. Present Use Value Property Tax Working farm, forest and horticultural lands by state statute are afforded a property tax assessment based on their agricultural working value, as opposed to the value of their land for industrial or residential development. A working farm must earn $1000 in gross sales annually to qualify for this differential assessment. This assessment affords farmers some amount of cost control that would otherwise limit their ability to farm profitably. 8. County Farmer's Market: Piedmont Farmers Market, Inc. provides a source of high quality, fresh, and local food as well as an enjoyable experience for local residents. It supports 60 local farmers, artisan bakers, or crafters which enhances the local economy 11 Attachment number 1 G -1 Page 208