Agenda Package - 01-18-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gag • Agriculture Legislative Proposals Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors 1. Support conservation of working lands and farmland preservation — Support legislation to promote and preserve working farmlands by including these lands in the state tourism plan, by retaining the current authority for the present use value system, by maintaining funding for the Ag Development and Farmland Preservation Trust, and by authorizing counties to implement transfer of development rights. • Explanation: Conservation of working lands becomes ever more important as the state becomes more urban in nature. Funding for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund was included as one of 36 legislative budget priorities in the Appropriations Act passed last session, and $2 million in annual funding was changed from non - recurring to recurring. More recurring funds are needed. Transfer of Development Rights is another tool counties need to promote good land -use policy. 2. Fund agricultural research and extension services — Support legislation to increase ag research and extension services and maintain existing research stations at current levels. • Explanation: There are 18 North Carolina agricultural research stations throughout the state. Each facility has unique climate and soil conditions, giving researchers a living laboratory in which to investigate a variety of regional crops, forestry concerns, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. All remain in service, but ongoing funding for the stations is a continuing concern. • 3. Support Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council Recommendations — Support legislation to implement the Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council's recommendations including a prohibition against municipal involuntary annexation or regulation of farm or forestry activities within a voluntary agricultural district or conservation district and support state funding to maintain and enhance the North Carolina Transition Network. • Explanation: Municipalities have the authority to regulate agriculture and forestry activities in their extra territorial jurisdictions, which provides for the potential to prevent producers from modifying their operations with new crops or livestock or production systems. The North Carolina Farm Transition Network (www.ncftn.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting the transition of working lands to new owners. It also educates current and future owners on land conservation easements and other options to make those transitions economically possible and desirable. It is currently in a state of transition due to its reliance on grant funding. Additional financial support is needed for it to continue to foster benefits to North Carolina citizens. Other Goal Maximize availability of adoptable animals — Seek legislation to increase adoption opportunities for county animal control facilities by clarifying ownership proof and increasing shelter director discretion. • Explanation: This goal attempts to clarify Session Law 2009 -304 regulating how long a county animal shelter must house an animal before it can be euthanized. Under the new law, a shelter operator cannot euthanize an animal surrendered to the shelter prior to the end of the 72 -hour holding period unless the person surrendering the animal can provide "some proof of ownership' (G.S. 130A- 192(b)(2)(a)) and "a signed written •