North Carolina’s Changing Landscape Wilkesboro, North Carolina

North Carolina’s North Carolina’s Changing LandscapeChanging Landscape

Wilkesboro, North CarolinaWilkesboro, North Carolina

27 September 200727 September 2007

Jerry DorsettJerry Dorsett

NC DENR, Office of Conservation & Community Affairs, 585 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 – ph. 336-771-4945NC DENR, Office of Conservation & Community Affairs, 585 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 – ph. 336-771-4945

“Five acre home lots are too big to mow and too

small to grow.”

NACD speaker January 2005

“If you know nothing of agriculture history,

then you cannot understand American

history.”

Thomas Isern, Professor Emporia State University

Working Lands CoordinatorWorking Lands Coordinator

Asking the question: Working Asking the question: Working lands owners, what will keep the lands owners, what will keep the next generation on the land???next generation on the land???

Goal of Balance = economic (+) ecological (+) culturalGoal of Balance = economic (+) ecological (+) cultural

North CarolinaNorth Carolina

31 million acres of land31 million acres of land

90% privately owned90% privately owned

1/3 of land is in agriculture1/3 of land is in agriculture

Farms & Forests require minimum acreage to thrive & Farms & Forests require minimum acreage to thrive & survivesurvive

So what is NC agriculture and forestry today?So what is NC agriculture and forestry today? 400 year tradition400 year tradition

Average farmer is 56 years oldAverage farmer is 56 years old

80 different commodities80 different commodities

Sampson and Duplin top 2 US agricultural countiesSampson and Duplin top 2 US agricultural counties

20% of work force20% of work force

Agriculture & Forest economic impact = $68 billionAgriculture & Forest economic impact = $68 billion

% of Income Spent on Food% of Income Spent on Food

0

5

1015

20

25

30

3540

45

50

1935 2006

46% 46%

In In

19351935

10% 10%

In In

20062006

Change???Change??? Are we rural, or urban?Are we rural, or urban?

Are we experiencing change?Are we experiencing change?

If so, how and why are we changing?If so, how and why are we changing?

What are the challenges …What are the challenges …

… … What are the What are the solutions?solutions?

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Spring, 2007

No. 2: Warren County, PennsylvaniaNo. 2: Warren County, PennsylvaniaWarren County is the kind of place that seems custom-made for every season on the calendar. It's tucked underneath the New York-Pennsylvania state line. A river runs through it.

No. 4: Gillespie, TexasNo. 4: Gillespie, TexasIn many ways, Gillespie County is the kind of place you think of when you picture Texas: lots of wide-open spaces, cattle ranches, old men in cowboy hats. Even the major highways have cattle crossings.

No. 10: Polk County, North CarolinaNo. 10: Polk County, North CarolinaHip, trendy Asheville is just 30 minutes to the north ... And yet it has somehow gone unnoticed. Consider this: Polk County does not have a Wal-MartPolk County does not have a Wal-Mart.

Ag country marketing!Ag country marketing!

THEY like calling North Carolina home!THEY like calling North Carolina home!““First lots sold for massive project - First lots sold for massive project - Shallotte to get 2,400 homesShallotte to get 2,400 homes” - ” - Wilmington Star Newspaper - 24 Feb. 2007Wilmington Star Newspaper - 24 Feb. 2007

Raleigh-based builder started selling lots this week for a Shallotte development that could one day double the Raleigh-based builder started selling lots this week for a Shallotte development that could one day double the Brunswick County town's population.Brunswick County town's population.

San Rio Ocean & Beach Club is slated eventually to have 1,200 houses and as many condominiums and town homes. San Rio Ocean & Beach Club is slated eventually to have 1,200 houses and as many condominiums and town homes. The Shallotte Board of Aldermen is scheduled to vote to annex the 700-acre site just north of town limits at its March The Shallotte Board of Aldermen is scheduled to vote to annex the 700-acre site just north of town limits at its March meeting.meeting.

Shallotte's population was less than 1,800 in 2005. - - - - -Shallotte's population was less than 1,800 in 2005. - - - - - - - a number that will soon be left in the dust. San Rio is a number that will soon be left in the dust. San Rio is the largest of numerous developments in different stages in Shallotte, including Sea Wynd, which is slated to have the largest of numerous developments in different stages in Shallotte, including Sea Wynd, which is slated to have 1,600 homes; River's Edge, which will have 600 units; Briarwood, with 400; and Woodsong, with nearly 150. The 1,600 homes; River's Edge, which will have 600 units; Briarwood, with 400; and Woodsong, with nearly 150. The growth is spurred in part by Shallotte's water and sewer capacity, said Town Planner Chris Rogers, recently hired to growth is spurred in part by Shallotte's water and sewer capacity, said Town Planner Chris Rogers, recently hired to help with annexation and rezoning issues. Its proximity to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington and the South Brunswick help with annexation and rezoning issues. Its proximity to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington and the South Brunswick beach islands is also a draw, he said.beach islands is also a draw, he said.

And Shallotte is, of course, riding the ongoing surge of development in Brunswick County, he said.And Shallotte is, of course, riding the ongoing surge of development in Brunswick County, he said.Since 1999, more than 70,000 units have been approved for development in Brunswick County, according to the Since 1999, more than 70,000 units have been approved for development in Brunswick County, according to the county's planning office. county's planning office.

Despite national and local concerns about slowing real estate markets, - - - - - Wakefield is one of the Triangle's Despite national and local concerns about slowing real estate markets, - - - - - Wakefield is one of the Triangle's largest residential developers, with more than 14,000 home sites in North Carolina. San Rio is its first coastal largest residential developers, with more than 14,000 home sites in North Carolina. San Rio is its first coastal development. Hurst said lots will start in the $100,000s. development. Hurst said lots will start in the $100,000s.

Hurst did not have a time line for how long it would take to build all 2,400 homes. Wakefield also broke ground Hurst did not have a time line for how long it would take to build all 2,400 homes. Wakefield also broke ground last week on a 60-acre project in Calabash that has 480 townhouses and villas planned, he said.last week on a 60-acre project in Calabash that has 480 townhouses and villas planned, he said.

Net Effect of Development on Tax ReceiptsNet Effect of Development on Tax Receipts For each $1.00 of taxes collectedFor each $1.00 of taxes collected::

Residential DevelopmentResidential Development: $1.20-1.50 in NC: $1.20-1.50 in NC

Commercial Development: $0.38-0.76 in NC Commercial Development: $0.38-0.76 in NC

Farm and Forest land in NC: $0.30-.050Farm and Forest land in NC: $0.30-.050

Nationally $0.18-0.89, National average $0.38Nationally $0.18-0.89, National average $0.38 This is a good deal for everyone, except farmersThis is a good deal for everyone, except farmers Source:http://www.farmlandinfo.org/documents/27757/FS_COCS_11-02.pdfSource:http://www.farmlandinfo.org/documents/27757/FS_COCS_11-02.pdf

See “Cost of Community Service” studies; See “Cost of Community Service” studies; Chatham, Alamance, Orange and Wake counties in NC.Chatham, Alamance, Orange and Wake counties in NC.

NC’s Changing LandscapeNC’s Changing Landscape

North Carolina’s population will increase 50% by 2030.

True.Population will increase from 8 to 12 million in the next 25 years.

True or False?


1 acre of farm and forest land is developed for every person coming to NC.

False – 2 acres per person

True or False?


The state has lost over HALF The state has lost over HALF of its of its farmsfarms in the last 15 years. in the last 15 years.

1950 to 2000 NC lost half of it’s farmland.

Working Lands Tool BoxWorking Lands Tool BoxIn all 100 counties today:In all 100 counties today: Present Use Value TaxationPresent Use Value Taxation Cost Share Programs (profitability)Cost Share Programs (profitability) Right To Farm LegislationRight To Farm Legislation Technical Assistance .Technical Assistance .

In your county?In your county? Voluntary Agriculture District (54) & Voluntary Agriculture District (54) & Enhanced VAD Enhanced VAD (4)(4) County Farm Protection ProgramCounty Farm Protection Program Cost of Community Services Study (4)Cost of Community Services Study (4) Agritourism (100%)Agritourism (100%) Holding & monitoring easements (30% to 50%)Holding & monitoring easements (30% to 50%) Goal sufficient Farm & Forestry saturationGoal sufficient Farm & Forestry saturation..

Agriculture – Agriculture – as defined by NC law!as defined by NC law!

"§ 106-581.1. "§ 106-581.1. Agriculture definedAgriculture defined.. For purposes of this Article, the terms "agriculture" and "agricultural" "agriculture", "agricultural", For purposes of this Article, the terms "agriculture" and "agricultural" "agriculture", "agricultural",

and "farming" shall refer to the all of the following:and "farming" shall refer to the all of the following:

(1) The (1) The cultivation of soil for production and harvesting of cropscultivation of soil for production and harvesting of crops , including but not , including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, sod, flowers and ornamental plants, the plants.limited to fruits, vegetables, sod, flowers and ornamental plants, the plants.(2) The planting and production of (2) The planting and production of trees and timbertrees and timber..(3) (3) Dairying and the raising, management, care, and trainingDairying and the raising, management, care, and training of livestock, including of livestock, including

horses, bees, poultry, deer, elk, and other animals for individual and public horses, bees, poultry, deer, elk, and other animals for individual and public use, consumption, and marketinguse, consumption, and marketing. Further, for purposes of this Article, . Further, for purposes of this Article,

aquaculture is considered a form of agriculture pursuant toaquaculture is considered a form of agriculture pursuant to(4) (4) AquacultureAquaculture as defined in G.S. 106-758. as defined in G.S. 106-758.(5) The (5) The operation, management, conservation, improvement, and maintenance of a operation, management, conservation, improvement, and maintenance of a

farm and the structures and buildingsfarm and the structures and buildings on the farm, including building and on the farm, including building and structure repair, replacement, expansion, and construction incident to the farming structure repair, replacement, expansion, and construction incident to the farming operation.operation.

(6) When performed on the farm, "agriculture", "agricultural", and "farming" also (6) When performed on the farm, "agriculture", "agricultural", and "farming" also include the include the marketing and selling of agricultural products, agritourism, the marketing and selling of agricultural products, agritourism, the storage and use of materials for agricultural purposes, packing, treating, storage and use of materials for agricultural purposes, packing, treating, processing, sorting, storage, and other activities performed to add value to processing, sorting, storage, and other activities performed to add value to crops, livestock, and agricultural items produced on the farmcrops, livestock, and agricultural items produced on the farm , and similar , and similar activities incident to the operation of a farm."activities incident to the operation of a farm."

Voluntary Agriculture DistrictsVoluntary Agriculture Districts

VAD’s …VAD’s …… … a 1’st step toward preserving working lands in NC.a 1’st step toward preserving working lands in NC.

Alexander Soil & Water Conservation DistrictAlexander Soil & Water Conservation District Dedicated to conserving our natural resources Dedicated to conserving our natural resources Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District Alexander Soil & Water Conservation District 374 1st Avenue SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681 374 1st Avenue SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Fax: 828-632-7533 Fax: 828-632-7533 Phone: 828-632-0638Phone: 828-632-0638

OrOrNatural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service

(828) 623-2708 (828) 623-2708 Alexander Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors meet at 10 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of every Alexander Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors meet at 10 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of every

month in the District Office of the County Administrative Building.month in the District Office of the County Administrative Building.Alexander County is a rural county nestled in the foothills of the Brushy & the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Alexander County is a rural county nestled in the foothills of the Brushy & the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North

Carolina. The county seat is Taylorsville, established in 1847. Approximately 2/3 of the county is farmland. Carolina. The county seat is Taylorsville, established in 1847. Approximately 2/3 of the county is farmland. Major commodities include poultry, dairy, tobacco, apples, forestry products, grain crops and beef cattle with Major commodities include poultry, dairy, tobacco, apples, forestry products, grain crops and beef cattle with income at approximately $6.5 million yearly.income at approximately $6.5 million yearly.

•Staff•Staff •Links•Links••Quality PolicyQuality Policy •Services•Services••Ag. Cost Share ProgramAg. Cost Share Program •Order FREE Soil Survey•Order FREE Soil Survey••Education Programs Education Programs We are here to help you with your conservation needs and questions.We are here to help you with your conservation needs and questions. Click on the sign belowClick on the sign below to view the Alexander County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance to view the Alexander County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance

More Information:More Information:

Land Preservation Notebook (Includes current Land Preservation Notebook (Includes current county ordinances) county ordinances) http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/wg/lpn/http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/wg/lpn/

* Theodore A. Feitshans, JD * Theodore A. Feitshans, JD provided some ofprovided some of

these slides.these slides.

American Farmland Trust American Farmland Trust http://www.farmland.org/merch/publist.htmhttp://www.farmland.org/merch/publist.htm

Updated 2007 NC DENR Office of Conservation & Comm. Affairs

Jerry Dorsett, Working Lands Coordinator, Office of Conservation & Community Affairs, 585 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107

Email: [email protected] Phone (336) 771-4945

Jerry DorsettJerry DorsettWorking Lands CoordinatorWorking Lands Coordinator

Office of Conservation & Community AffairsOffice of Conservation & Community AffairsNC Department of Environment & Natural ResourcesNC Department of Environment & Natural Resources

585 Waughtown Street585 Waughtown Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27107Winston-Salem, NC 27107

Phone: (336) 771-4945 Phone: (336) 771-4945

email: email: [email protected]@ncmail.net

27 Sept. 2007 – Wilkes County27 Sept. 2007 – Wilkes County

North Carolina’s Changing Landscape Wilkesboro, North Carolina

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