Alamance County
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| Awarded by ADFP: $9,250 |
| Match: $5,000 |
| Project Total: $14, 250 |
Alamance is located in the Piedmont, with Interstate 40 running through the middle of the county. I-40 provides
easy access to markets but also attracts development. Currently, the top and bottom third of the county are
composed predominanty of agricultural and forestlands. Th e Alamance County Voluntary Agricultural District
Board will develop a Comprehensive Countywide Farm Protection Plan that will tie into the County Land Use
Plan. During the initial feedback on the development of the Land Use Plan, a major concern of local residents was the need for farmland protection. The plan will contain an overview of current conditions of working lands
within the county, challenges to the farming sector, an overview of current opportunities, action steps to achieve
objectives and a schedule for completing those steps. New agricultural markets such as wineries and grass-fed beef operations are developing in this area, and this plan will help facilitate those operations as well as more traditional farming. This plan will assist county leaders, planners and landowners in protecting and preserving the agricultural industry of Alamance County.
It is the hope of the Advisory Committee that this plan could be used as a model for other counties. A consultant will oversee completion of the plan. The data will begathered by local Soil & Water Conservation District and Cooperative Extension Agents. Community meetings will be organized by the local agents to get landowner, farmer, and agricultural group input. These meetings will help the consultatant to understand the concerns and direction of Alamance County residents. When completed, the Agricultural Advisory Board will take the plan to the county commissioners for approval. Copies of the plan will also be distributed to local businesses and residents.
