Feb. 21, 2014 SCAPA Conference Charleston, SC

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1 Feb. 21, 2014 SCAPA Conference Charleston, SC

2 Major economic engine one of the state s largest economic clusters Direct and indirect economic impact of $33.9 billion/year 50 by 20 - SC Dept. of Ag. goal to grow economic impact to $50 billion annually by 2020 Provides $7.5 billion in labor income Supports almost 200,000 jobs Source: The Economic Impact of the Agribusiness Industry in South Carolina, prepared by Miley, Gallo & Associates, LLC for the Palmetto Agribusiness Council, Sept. 2008

3 Number of farms decreased 4% between 2007 and 2012 Market value of agricultural products sold increased 33% Majority of farms are small farms (selling less than $250,000 in agricultural products annually) Majority of farms are involved in crop production versus livestock/poultry Farmers: Average age: 58.3 Slightly more than half are engaged in a primary occupation other than farming Source: 2007 and 2012 Censuses of Agriculture, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

4 Number of farms increased 5% between 2002 and 2007 and remained relatively constant to 2012 Market value of agricultural products sold increased 58% between 2002 and 2007 and increased 29% between 2007 and 2012 Majority of farms in the state are small farms Majority are involved in livestock/poultry versus crop production Farmers: Average age: 59.5 Slightly more than half are engaged in a primary occupation other than farming Source: 2007 and 2012 Censuses of Agriculture, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

5 332 farms totaling 42,000 acres (7% of total acreage of the County) Number one aquaculture producer in SC Agricultural products sold from farms in Charleston County totaled $24 million Majority of sales from vegetable and nursery/greenhouse/floriculture product sales Sources: 2007 Census of Agriculture, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and Local Food and Farm Assessment: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina prepared for the Town of Mount Pleasant by the Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project

6 Charleston County Existing Land Use Map

7 Charleston County Growth Management Map

8 Charleston County Future Land Use Map

9 Established by Charleston County Council on October 15, 2009 to foster agriculture & agribusiness in the County and SC Committee members include: Local farmers SCDA/USDA/NRCS Clemson Extension Charleston County School District Mayors & Charleston County Council members Non-profit and for profit organizations Supported by county & municipal staff

10 Facilitated the flow of information and ideas between farmers, foresters, non-profits, private entities, government agencies, and elected/appointed officials: Coordinated with the School District to help re-introduce agriculture as an educational program and bring educators, students, and local farmers together Worked to coordinate agricultural preservation efforts from around the state Assisting Oconee County in establishing a similar committee Provided links between local producers and consumers

11 Held workshops to educate local farmers on the special tax assessment for agricultural real property Integral to the recent passage of the Tourist- Oriented Directional Signage legislation Recommended amendments to local legislation, many of which have been/will soon be adopted: Flexibility for agricultural ponds and signs Streamlining permitting processes for agricultural uses Allowing Sweetgrass Basket stands to be located in required buffers Revising the County Business License Ordinance

12 Exemption of agricultural ponds from the state classification of attractive nuisances Bona Fide Agricultural and Timber Operations Legislation: Single minimum acreage requirement for crop and timber operations Keeping the minimum income requirement at $1,000 per year for first 3 5 years Including agri-tourism activities

13 Recognizing and protecting Sweetgrass: Adopt Sweetgrass as the state grass Ensure that state regulations do not impede cultivation Teach Sweetgrass Basket making in schools Exploring the possibility of a statewide Transfer of Development Rights program Exploring local enabling legislation to allow Voluntary Agricultural and Forestal Areas (VAFAs)

14 Program that allows farmers and foresters to create special areas where agriculture and forestry are encouraged and protected Enrollment is VOLUNTARY and participants receive benefits such as protection from nuisance claims, etc. Property owners can withdraw at any time IT IS a comprehensive response to the challenges facing farmers in developing communities IT IS NOT ZONING!

15 16 states have adopted similar programs (voluntary agricultural districts, agricultural security areas, etc.) California was the first to adopt this type of program in 1965 In many states, programs are authorized by state legislatures and implemented at the local level SC is a home rule state! State right to farm act gives some protection against nuisance claims VAFAs give additional recognition at the local level

16 Vary from state to state Minimum property/district size Initial terms of enrollment Conservation easements Limits on non-farm development and/or subdivision

17 Vary from state to state Voluntary enrollment/withdrawal Tax credits Exemption from some zoning regulations Protection from annexation and eminent domain/condemnation Signage and local recognition Protection from nuisance claims Preferential treatment for grant funding

18 Varies from state to state Participation in the special tax assessment program Certification by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as being a farm Existence of good soil qualities that are favorable for major crops grown in the area, best suited for providing ag/forestry products Management of erosion issues in compliance with NRCS practices Conservation easements

19 Varies from state to state, but is always voluntary Advisory board to implement the program Consists of active farmers/foresters, nonfarmers, real estate experts, etc. Makes recommendations to Planning Commission and/or directly to Council Soil and water conservation districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, cooperative extension offices may be involved in the process

20 Voluntary enrollment DOES NOT restrict any rights to use or subdivide property No minimum property/district size, but properties must be contiguous Must be approved by the County Assessor s Office for the special assessment for ag/timber use Land uses must be consistent with the County s Comprehensive Plan and ZLDR

21 Applications submitted to the Planning Dept. by property owners Approved, recorded plat Current, recorded deed Restrictive covenants affidavit No fee

22 Planning Director review and report Planning Commission recommendation Council public hearing Council approval

23 Planning Commission meeting and public hearing advertised in newspaper Notices sent to interested parties and owners of property within 300 feet Posted notice prior to the public hearing

24 County land records and GIS data will be updated to provide buyer beware statements for: Properties included within approved VAFAs Properties within ½ aerial mile Will include notification that approved VAFA exists nearby and to contact the Planning Dept. for information

25 VAFAs have been mapped by the County to inform all purchasers of real property that certain agricultural and forestry activities, including but not limited to pesticide spraying, manure spreading, machinery and truck operations, livestock operations, sawing, and other common farming and forestry activities may occur in these Areas any time during the day or night.

26 Property owner may withdraw land at any time without penalty Properties that are removed from the preferential tax assessment program will then be removed from the VAFA County records will be updated based on any withdrawals/terminations Withdrawals/terminations of a portion of the land within an approved VAFA does not terminate the existence of the entire VAFA

27 It s voluntary! Local recognition, marketing and education Assists with maintaining, enhancing and protecting operations May help to avoid conflicts between ag/forestry operations and adjacent residences through notification and education Can increase access to grants and other funding opportunities

28 Implements the Comprehensive Plan Local recognition of the importance of ag/forestry Responds to the growing popularity of local products Preservation of ag/forestry lands = $$$$$ For every $1 in taxes received from ag/forestry lands, only 34 cents is paid for services Services for residential development cost an average of $1.15 per $1 of taxes received

29 Currently working with the Legal Dept., Assessor s Office and GIS Dept. to finalize the draft Review and comment by the Agricultural Committee members Adoption process proposed to be adopted as a separate ordinance outside of the zoning ordinance

30 Charleston County Zoning & Planning Department (843)

January 31, Meeting with town officials regarding development of the new Door County Farmland Preservation Plan

January 31, Meeting with town officials regarding development of the new Door County Farmland Preservation Plan January 31, 2011 Meeting with town officials regarding development of the new Door County Farmland Preservation Plan 1 2 3 4 Conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural use in Door County exceeds