NCACC Agriculture policy statement

Introduction

North Carolina’s diverse agricultural community is helping meet the challenge of furnishing consumers around the world with food, agricultural, horticultural and forestry products. As North Carolina’s top industry, agriculture and agribusiness account for nearly 25% of North Carolina’s Gross State Product and total employment. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (“Association”) recognizes the importance of agriculture within North Carolina’s diverse economic base.

The constitutional purpose of the Association is “to provide the legislature and the public with information necessary for the passage of sound legislation beneficial to the administration of county affairs and to oppose legislation injurious thereto.” Therefore the Association will not utilize its resources advocating solely on behalf of agricultural interests, but instead will advocate for or against legislative and regulatory policies that address agricultural concerns, while simultaneously benefiting the administration of all counties’ affairs.

Relationship of Agriculture and Environmental Policy

Agricultural issues related to the environment transcend governmental boundaries and therefore require close coordination of policy and action by federal, state, and local governments. Powers delegated to the counties for the protection of the public health are important tools for carrying out measures to protect the land and water resources vital for current and future agricultural endeavors. The Association will support and encourage policies that call for the efficient and safe use of natural resources, helping North Carolina’s counties remain safe and healthy places in which to live and work.

Agriculture and Tax Policy

Historically, public policy concerns controlled the method of taxation of agricultural property, as with the taxation of other land uses. Accordingly, the Association will continue to study the impact of various financing mechanisms for the assurances of efficiency, equity, and diversification. Whenever possible, the Association will advocate for tax policies advantageous to both agricultural interests and the maintenance of a broad and equitable county tax base.

Agriculture and County Land Use

As North Carolina’s urban centers expand into agriculturally oriented land areas, public policy questions emerge as to the regulation of development patterns. The Association believes strongly in flexibility of form and function, and therefore supports local control over land-use decision-making, and its impact on the agricultural community. Furthermore, the Association supports state policies providing local options and tools as to the preservation of farmland if they, in fact serve the best interest of all counties.