AG 2011 09 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NATURAL RESOURCES Fewer farms and less farmland — As of 2007, Cabarrus County was home to 611 farms, a 7% decrease from the 658 farms that were reported in the 2002 UDSA Census. County, North Carolina includes a Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program, and the County allows for Enhanced Voluntary Agriculture Districts (EVAD). Extension Director Bost reports that since 2006, approximately 11,000 acres of Cabarrus farmland have been protected, with 60% of that land protected Cabarrus also lost 9% of its farmland between 2002 and 2007, through the VAD program, and 40% through EVAD program." with farmland totaling 66,780 of the County's 231,524 acres in 2007. Population rising rapidly — Preserving farms and farmland is a key issue for the County. The N.C. Office of State Budget and Management reported that Cabarrus was the 7th fastest growing county in the state between 2000 -2009, with 33.2% growth documented .16 By 2030, the population is expected to increase by 45% — from 179,025 to 260,235 — making it harder for farmers to afford and access productive land .17 Land is limiting resource — According to the U.S. Census, the County has a land area of 364.4 square miles. Cabarrus is fortunate to have soils that are well suited to farming — the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Web Soil Survey reveals that prime farmland soils cover 56.9% of the county49 — but the County is predominantly urban. Land suitable for farming is a limited resource. Extension Director Debbie Bost identified water conservation as an issue worthy of exploration. Primary water resources include Lake Howell, Lake Concord, and Black Run Reservoir. Agriculture is a priority — Cabarrus recognizes the value of this agricultural land and is committed to protecting it. The 2006 Countywide Farmland Protection Plan for Cabarrus Zoning a key consideration — The County also has made agriculture a planning priority, using zoning ordinances and long -range planning to guide land -use decisions and protect natural resources, including farms and farmland. Cabarrus County land falls primarily into 10 zoning districts: five residential and five non - residential. Most land is designated as either within the Concord city limits, as Agricultural /Open Space (AO) or as Countryside Residential (CR) .12 The majority of Cabarrus farms are located within the AO and CR districts. Ideally, industrial businesses that help transform crops and raw agriculture materials into food products will be located close to farms. Agricultural zoning districts that include farms and the businesses that support them — storing, canning and food processing operations, as well as slaughter facilities and sawmills — make it easier and more affordable for farmers to get their products to markets." Cabarrus already makes provisions to allow farm - related industrial businesses in the AO and CR districts. For example, the Cruse Meat plant — which soon will include a kill floor for the region's independent farmers — is located within the AO district, and farm machinery repair shops are permitted there as long as they meet certain standards." Issues to be addressed To build its local food system, Cabarrus needs to keep land in farms. The County's farm- land preservation policies have proven to be success- ful in addressing growth pressures. Yet in order to guarantee agricultural production, Cabarrus will also need to invest in efforts to keep farms financially viable. Water conservation also needs to be addressed as the County plans for farmers' long -term success. photo: Jennifer Curtis 18 CENTER for ENVIRONMENTAL FARMING SYSTEMS 1 -1 Attachment number 1 Page 632