By Amy-Lynn Albertson
N.C. Cooperative Extension

The 2022 Census of Agriculture results were released on Feb. 13 by USDA.

“For over 180 years, the Census of Agriculture has allowed us to hear directly from the producers about themselves and their operations. The more we understand, the better positioned we are to support the agricultural community that gives so much to our nation and the world.” said Troy Joshua, director of statistics division and executive director of the agricultural statistics board.

The 2022 data shows Rowan County has lost close to 200 farms since 2012. Some of that has been due to farmers aging out and retiring, and some due to development pressure. The census shows North Carolina has grown young and beginning farmers by 11 percent since 2017, compared to Virginia and Kentucky, which have lost new farmers. The median farm size in Rowan County is 40 acres, and the average farmer age is 58.

Today, less than 1 percent of the U.S. population farms and nearly 20 percent of the food we eat is imported from other countries. The world population is expected to reach 9.7 billion people in 2050. We will need to feed all these people on the same amount or less land than we do today. Food security is just one of many reasons that farmland preservation is essential. Rowan County is blessed with a vibrant, productive agricultural economy. Cash receipts from marketing, including crops, livestock and government payments, were more than $96 million in 2022. We have 800 farms in our county. In 1990, Rowan County was the first county in North Carolina to adopt an ordinance to help protect farms by creating the Voluntary Agriculture Districts. We have 300 farms and over 15,000 acres enrolled in this program. Now more than ever, farm and landowners must think about farmland preservation.

The Voluntary Agriculture Districts is a voluntary program for eligible farms in Rowan County. Benefits of being in a VAD include recognition and public education about agriculture, including signage; increased protection from nuisance suits, including noise, odor, dust or slow-moving farm vehicles; waiver of water and sewer assessments; public hearings held by the Agricultural Advisory board are required for proposed land condemnation; and increased eligibility for funding. To be eligible to enroll in the Voluntary Agriculture District, you need to own a farm or forestland with a minimum of five acres that qualifies as a bona fide farm. To be eligible as a bona fide farm, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. qualify for Present Use Value Tax deferment

2. File a schedule F Federal Income Tax statement for the last three current years

3. Qualify for the N.C. Department of Revenue Sales Tax Exemption for Farms

4. Have a Forest Management Plan

A voluntary Agricultural District member will be subject to a non-binding conservation agreement between Rowan County and the landowner that prohibits non-farm use or development of such land for at least 10 years, except for the creation of no more than three lots that meet the applicable county zoning and subdivision regulations. You may revoke the agreement at any time with a 30-day written notice to the Agricultural Advisory Board. This program is voluntary and a win-win for anyone who wants to keep their land in agriculture. The Rowan County Agricultural Advisory Board comprises five appointed by the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. If you want more information about the Voluntary Agricultural Districts, call the Extension Office at 704-216-8970.

The annual Salute to Agriculture Breakfast will be held Thursday, March 21, at the West End Plaza event center at 7 a.m. This event is a partnership between Cooperative Extension and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce and an opportunity for the farming and business communities to break bread together. This year’s speaker is MacKenna Clifton, a junior at N.C. State University and former National Officer of the FFA (Future Farmers of America). MacKenna will speak about the challenges facing agriculture today, particularly youth who want to enter the field of agriculture. If you are an agriculture or business community member and want to attend this breakfast, please get in touch with the Rowan County Extension Center at 704-216-8970.

Albertson is executive director of the Rowan County Extension.