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AGRICULTURAL & FORESTAL DISTRICT PROGRAM IN SHENANDOAH COUNTY:
Landowners throughout the County have made the commitment to keep their land in farming or forestry by joining the Ag & 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 & 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 2023 by the Board of Supervisors:
- Jerome
- Orkney Springs
- Mill Creek
- Morning Star
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, for more information see: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter43/
Contact the Community Development Office at 540-459-6185 or 459-6204 to discuss your options as a landowner and learn more about the program.
Upcoming Meetings
No meetings are scheduled at this time.
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.
Application Forms
AFD Determination Sheet
AFD Request For Withdrawal
Support To Farmers
- Conservation Easements
- Brighter Future Microgrant Program AFT
- Century Farm Designation Form
- Century Forest Designation Form
- Historic Nomination Process
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
- Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
- Conservation Plans
- Clean Water Financing
- Popular Practices For Funding Or Tax Credits
- Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share (VACS) BMP Manual