Establish an agricultural district program
Action
Agricultural district programs address the challenges that farmers face in developing areas. Agricultural districts are designated areas where commercial agriculture is encouraged and protected. Farmers enroll in these programs voluntarily and receive a package of locally tailored benefits, such as tax relief, protection from local regulation and nuisance suits, and eligibility for Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement programs (see Policy #2, Establish a program to purchase of agricultural conservation easements, in this section). In return, enrolled farmers agree to restrict use of their land to agricultural use or open space for the term of the contract. The programs are authorized by state legislatures and implemented locally.
Process
In designing the program, the State must first decide where it wants to develop agricultural districts, based on the importance and value of the agricultural land, development pressure, and other relevant factors. The State will also have to determine the package of benefits that will be made available to the landowners, as well as which farmers will be eligible to enroll in the program and the procedures and incentives for enrollment. Another important element for the State to determine is how farmers will be able to withdraw land from an agricultural district, and who has the authority to terminate agricultural district agreements.
Example
- Pennsylvania's Agricultural Security Area Program
In 1981 the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture created the Agricultural Security Area program to protect agricultural land. The program allows municipalities to create security areas with the cooperation of landowners. Agriculture is the designated primary activity within the security areas and farms within the areas are given special consideration by state and local government agencies and are protected from nuisance challenges.
— Pennsylvania's Agricultural Security Area Program
