In the last 10 to 20 years, many acres of North Carolina’s farmland have been converted to houses, industries, businesses, recreational sports fields or have been dedicated to purposes other than farming. In Yancey County, the average age of the farmer increases with every Census of Agriculture and the statistics show fewer farmers entering the agriculture industry. In the last few years, especially since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, increasing population growth has been evident in Yancey County. A vibrant, growing community is not necessarily a bad thing but it is important to consider that once farmland is developed, it cannot be replaced. That’s why I believe it is so very important to consider how to best preserve our farmland for future generations.
It is important for farmers to think about the future of their farms beyond retirement. One of the goals for most farmers operating small family farms, is to be able to pass the farm on to the next generation. Planning for the future of the farm and for the next generation can be very difficult. There is so much to consider! Most first consider how debt will be handled once a farmer retires, or how debt will be handled when the farm is passed on to the next operator. There is also the matter of taxes and other legal matters that need to be considered. There are so many details, whether one plans to sell the farm or if the plan is to pass it on through inheritance. Some farmers may also want to make sure their farmland stays in farming for years to come after it passes on to the next operator. So, there are farmland preservation programs or conservation programs that might be considered.
With so much to consider, we hope to provide our farmers an opportunity to learn more about their options for farm succession at the first session of the 3rd Annual Winter School conducted by N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County Center. Robert Andrew Branan, the Extension Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Environmental Law from NC State University, will be joining us to discuss navigating the legal concerns of farmland succession.
Additionally, we will also be reintroducing they Yancey County Volunteer Agricultural District (VAD), and Enhanced Volunteer Agricultural District (EVAD) farmland preservation programs. These programs were originally established with the passing of the Yancey County EVAD/VAD Ordinance in 2017. Farmers will have the opportunity to enroll their farms into a VAD or EVAD later this spring.
N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County will host the 3rd Annual Extension Winter School, Thursday January 26, 2023, starting at 6:00 PM at the Yancey County Senior Center (located at 503 Medical Campus Dr. in Burnsville). A meal will be provided. Pre-registering by Tuesday, January 24, 2023 is requested to help us with meal planning. If you would like more information about this upcoming program or if you would like to register please send an email to David Davis (david_davis@ncsu.edu) or call the Yancey County Center at 828-682-6186.
