45-6. Powers and Duties.

  1. The Agricultural Advisory Board shall:
    1. Review and approve applications for qualifying farmland and Voluntary Agricultural Districts, Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts, and Agricultural Conservation Easements, and make recommendations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts, subject to the appeal of such decisions to the Board of Commissioners pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §106-739(a)(1).
    2. Hold public hearings pursuant to Article VI of this Chapter.
    3. Advise the Board of Commissioners on projects, programs, or issues affecting the agricultural economy or activities within the County that will affect agricultural districts.
    4. Execute agreements with landowners necessary for enrollment of land in a voluntary agricultural district.
    5. Perform other related tasks or duties assigned by the Board of Commissioners.
  2. Each district shall be assigned to a member of the Board who shall monitor and represent that district in all business conducted by the Board. Individual members will represent those districts closest to them geographically. No member will represent more than thirty percent (30%) of the total number of districts in the County or thirty percent (30%) of the total land area.
  3. Each member shall state if there is a conflict of interest with any Agricultural Conservation Easement application the Agricultural Advisory Board reviews. If a Board member applies and requests federal, state, or local funding, that member shall not participate in reviewing or approving any application for the same review cycle as the Agricultural Advisory Board is considering their application.