Do you own farmland in Sampson County and want to preserve its agricultural heritage for future generations? Consider enrolling in the Sampson County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) Program. The VAD program is designed for landowners interested in farmland preservation as a voluntary means to identify the property as agricultural land that is used for farming or forestry. Interested landowners may fill out the Membership Application for enrollment. *Applicants may fill out this electronic, fillable .pdf file but must download the file before entering data. The program is coordinated by N.C. Cooperative Extension, in partnership with a seven member Agricultural Board of landowners across five agricultural districts, as well as four ex-officio members from the Sampson County Register of Deeds, Tax Administration, Cooperative Extension, and Soil & Water Conservation Services.
What are the benefits of joining this Farmland Preservation Program?- Increase the identity, awareness and pride in agriculture and its way of life
- Reduce likeliness of nuisance lawsuits and other negative impacts affecting participating farms
- Landowners will not be required to connect to the Sampson County water system or assessed charges for such until the farm is connected
- The program is completely "voluntary", meaning landowners may withdraw upon request as needed through written notification
- Low cost: $25 reflective 18x24" farm sign cost share and $26 recording fee (per application). $50 for additional farm signs. *Limited time, free sign framing and 8ft post for NC Grange members.
What are the requirements to enroll:
- Must be a bona-fide farm, participating in the farm present use value taxation program
- Minimum acreage types:
- 5 horticulture
- 10 cropland (includes forages)
- 20 forestry
- Certified as favorable land for agricultural or forestry use
- Conservation agreement required to prohibit non-farm use
Links to Other Helpful Resources:
Sampson County GIS Data Viewer
Sampson County Register of Deeds
Sampson County Soil & Water Conservation Services
Sampson County Tax Administration
Sampson County Planning & Zoning
Contact the Extension Center at 910-592-7161 or any Sampson VAD Board Member for more information:
District 1: Jennifer Daniels, Tammy Peterson
District 2: Henry Faison, Nelson Powell
District 3: Kent Fann
District 4: Morgan Moore
District 5: Wendy Dorman
Left to right, front row: Sampson County Agricultural board members Kent Fann, Jennifer Daniels, Nelson Powell. Back row: Board members and agency reps: Wendy Dorman, Anita Lane (Register of Deeds), Morgan Moore, Melanie Harris (Soil & Water Conservation), Henry Faison, Susan Heath (Tax Administration), Eileen Coite (Cooperative Extension).
Special thanks to the NCADFP Trust Fund for supporting the Sampson County Farmland Preservation Program through the Sampson VAD sign grant.
Find more information about NC Farmland Preservation this NCDA website.
