Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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With a constant increase in population numbers comes an inevitable loss of one of the most precious commodities - farmland.
This problem is being addressed by a group of local farmers who want to help preserve and protect farmland.
A public hearing was held at this month’s county commissioners meeting to receive public input on establishing a voluntary agricultural district ordinance for Davie.
According to Andrew Meadwell of Davie Development Service the purpose is to promote agricultural values and general welfare of the county and more specifically, increase identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life; encourage the economic and financial health of agriculture; and increased protection from non-farm development and other negative impacts on property managed farms.
Meadwell told commissioners that in the fall of 2006 a group of farmers in association with the cooperative extension office approached him about creating a voluntary agricultural district ordinance.
“Over the last year this group of farmers has met approximately 7 to 8 times,” Meadwell said.
Greg Hoover, Davie Cooperative Extension Director, told commissioners approximately half the counties in the state have voluntary agricultural district programs.
Hoover said that the voluntary agricultural district ordinance is the first step in the process of farmland preservation.
What are voluntary agricultural districts? According to Meadwell, when many urban dwellers move into rural settings, they don’t understand or appreciate that living next door to a farm may include such issues as noise, odors, insects, or the early morning/late night schedules ... subscribe to the Davie County Enterprise Record, P.O. Box 99, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.