Agricultural & Forestal District Advisory Committee

Meetings

We're working to schedule the Wakemans Grove Information Session.

If you are interested but unable to attend either of the informational sessions, information is also available in the County Planning & Zoning Department located at 600 N Main Street, Suite 107, Woodstock, VA 22664, or call The Office of Community Development at 540-459-6185.

Members

  • Philip Bowman, Chair
  • Steve Baker, Board Of Supervisors Representative
  • Melissa Hockman, Commissioner Of Revenue
  • Bobby Clark
  • Joan Comanor
  • Douglas French
  • Pieter Greeff
  • David Zirkle

Agricultural and Forestal District Program in Shenandoah County

AFD LogoLandowners throughout the County have made the commitment to keep their land in farming or forestry by joining the Ag and Forestal District (AFD) program. In this program, a landowner voluntarily commits to keeping their land in agricultural or forestry production for ten years. There are 18 Agricultural and Forestal Districts in the County with over 39,000 acres enrolled. This is a voluntary program.

Landowners enrolled in the program forego the option to subdivide and develop the tracts during this 10-year period. In exchange, those areas are protected as "right to farm" regions, with protection against government interference in their farming and forestry operations and other benefits.

Currently, the following AFDs are up for renewal in 2025 by the Board of Supervisors:

  • Wakemans Grove

During the renewal period, landowners with parcels currently enrolled in a district can renew, add to, or remove their parcels without special consideration. This is also an excellent opportunity for landowners to enroll their land in a district for the first time.

The State Code provides details about the program.

Contact the Community Development Office at 540-459-6185 to discuss your options as a landowner and learn more about the program.AFD Timeline