Farmland Protection | Food Systems

The county addresses farmland protection through a farmland preservation program ordinance. This ordinance, adopted in 2003, establishes terms for a conservation easement for development rights program as one of several farmland preservation strategies adopted by the county. It authorizes the County Board of Commissioners to purchase the development rights of farmland throughout the county, and to work with land trusts or other nonprofit organizations in doing so, in a program administered by the planning department. It also establishes an Agricultural Preservation Board to oversee the program and a Farmland Preservation Fund. The ordinance lists eligibility requirements, application review criteria, selection procedures, and conservation easement provisions.