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" Adapted from "Keep It Growing: An Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan for Rensselaer County (New York) ", p. 28. 20 §106-738(b) 21 NCGS § 106 -739 outlines the authority the county may confer on it. The Board may have the authority to: 1. Review and make recommendations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts; 2. Review and make recommendations concerning any ordinance or amendment adopted or proposed for adoption under this Article; 3. Hold public hearings on public projects likely to have an impact on agricultural operations, particularly if such projects involve condemnation of all or part of any qualifying farmland; 4. Advise the board of county commissioners on projects, programs, or issues affecting the agricultural economy or way of life within the county; 5. Perform other related tasks or duties assigned by the board of county commissioners. As noted in Article II, the statute specifically states that formulation of a countywide farmland protection plan "may be formulated with the assistance of an agricultural advisory board designated pursuant to GS 106 - 739." §106-744(f). 22 Rensselaer County, NY, p. 29 2' NCGS § 106 -744. Statutory authority for municipalities is outlined in § 106A 401 through 407. North Carolina's conservation easement statute can be found at § 121 -34 through 42. 24 NCGS § 106- 744(c). 2' NCGS § 113 -145.1 et seq. More information on the fund is available at www.ewmtf.net. 26 Other program summaries that assist farmers in controlling non -point source runoff are available at www. cur. state. nc. us/D S W C 27 NCGS § 113 -77.7 28 Consult NCGS §§ 105- 130.34 and 105- 151.12 for the specific requirements of the CTC Program. For more information see www.enr. state .ne.us /conservationtaxcredit. 2' For more program information and legislative authority, see www.nres.usda.gov /programs /farmbill /2002 so CREP is listed here under federal programs, although it is partially funded by Clean Water Management Funds and administered by North Carolina Division of Soil and Water Conservation. 31 NCGS § 106 -700 et seq. 32 NCGS §7A -38.3. " NCGS § 105- 277.2. 34 The opportunities listed here and addressed with action items in Article VI are borrowed liberally from Rensselaer County's plan. " These action steps should directly address the challenges outlined in Article IV. 36 Orange County, North Carolina has created such a site, found at ( www.oran eg countyfarms.org 37 See Steuben County, NY, farmland protection plan. 38 This sensible item is included in Suffolk County, NY's Agricultural Protection Plan which can be viewed at http: / /www.co.suffolk.ny.us. " Ibid. 40 NCGS §7A -38.3. 41 The United States Internal Revenue Code also has certain legal requirements for the easement to qualify for income tax benefits. See Internal Revenue Code § 170(h). 42 NCGS § 106 -744. Statutory authority for municipalities is outlined in § 106A 401 through 407. North Carolina's conservation easement statute can be found at § 121 -34 through 42. 4' Drafting this schedule will depend entirely on when this plan is approved, taking into account the counties fiscal cycle, and particularly county farmers' seasonal availability to participate in the workshops and other implementation elements of this plan. Though the schedule here is for one year, it should look to the long term as well. It is probably a good idea to incorporate in the plan itself as it is part of the plan described in the Farmland Preservation Enabling Act. 44 Rensselaer County plan, p. 65. 41 Or equivalent body. 21 Attachment number 1 G -1 Page 218