Agricultural Plans

The North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation (ADFP) Trust Fund is administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to address the urgent issue of farmland loss in the state. North Carolina is the second-most threatened state for farmland loss, with studies projecting significant additional losses by 2040. The Trust Fund supports county-level agricultural plans that promote farmland preservation and the agricultural economy through competitive grants. The Agricultural Plans program is designed to evaluate and rank locally-led preservation initiatives, with a focus on creating or updating Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) or Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) programs, County Farmland Protection Plans, or County Cost of Community Services Studies. Funding is available only to nonprofit conservation organizations and county governments, in accordance with G.S. 106-744. Farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders must partner with an eligible applicant to participate. Multiple proposals can be submitted per funding cycle, but if total requests exceed available funding, each applicant can receive a maximum of four contracts per category. The application process has two stages: Part 1 (Intent to Apply) runs from the first business day of August to the last business day of August, confirming basic eligibility and anticipated outcomes. Part 2 (Eligibility, Background, and Purpose) runs from the second Monday in September to the last Monday before Christmas, capturing implementation details. Applicants who pass initial review will be scheduled for an interview. Grant amounts vary by project type. VAD and EVAD program grants are capped at $8,500, while Farmland Protection Plans and Cost of Community Services Studies are capped at $17,000. Allowable expenses are specific to the type of plan proposed, including ordinance creation or updates, educational outreach, signage, website or GIS development, direct mail outreach, printed materials, conferences, and workshops. Certain expenses are not allowable, including personnel/administrative services, lobbying, entertainment, and student activities. Matching funds are required for most applicants: nonprofit conservation organizations must match 30% of funds received; county match requirements vary by development tier and whether an approved County Farmland Protection Plan is in place. Higher match amounts can increase scoring in the budget category. Scoring is based on the application narrative, budget, and interview, with budget points tied to the percentage of match provided. All matching funds must be documented and expended within the grant contract period. Secured match must be supported by a signed letter of commitment including the amount, type, source, and description. The funding period for Cycle 19 awards runs until September 30, 2028. Extensions must be requested at least 60 days before contract expiration. Applications must be county-specific; separate applications are required for multiple counties. Applicants can choose from a list of grant options within each plan category to tailor their proposals. For example, VAD grants may fund ordinance creation or updates, signage, outreach, and educational events. Farmland Protection Plan and Cost of Community Services Study grants may fund planning or study development, focus groups, direct outreach, websites, printed materials, and promotional workshops. All application materials, guidelines, and forms are available at the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ Farmland Preservation Division website. Questions on allowable costs or match requirements can be directed to Allison Rodriguez at Allison.rodriguez@ncagr.gov. Awards are determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture in consultation with the ADFP Trust Fund Advisory Committee, based on final scores and funding availability.

Provide secured matching funds to increase budget score; ensure match documentation is complete and signed; submit separate applications for each county