§ 43-34-101. Short Title

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Agricultural District and Farmland Preservation Act of 1995.”

§ 43-34-102. Purpose and Policy

It is the intent and purpose of the state to encourage the conservation, protection, and responsible utilization of lands that are managed for purposes of agricultural production. It is recognized that these lands are finite, fragile, and valuable resources that contribute economically and socially to the well being of the state. It is also recognized […]

§ 43-34-103. Chapter Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Agricultural district” means those properties residing within a contiguous boundary and meeting appropriate criteria for designation as such by the local soil conservation district; “Agricultural production” means those operations including associated land and facility management activities engaged in the commercial propagation, raising, harvesting and/or processing […]

§ 43-34-104. Requirements of an Agricultural District — Petition Process

To qualify for designation as an agricultural district, a district shall initially contain at least two hundred fifty (250) contiguous acres and may include any number of individual property ownerships; however, no single ownership shall contain less than fifteen (15) acres. This chapter shall not alter the eligibility requirements or any other provision of the […]

§ 43-34-105. Approval and Repeal of Districts

Upon review of a petition, the local soil conservation district board of supervisors may approve designation of an agricultural district. A designated agricultural district shall be established for a period of five (5) years and reviewed for redesignation every five (5) years thereafter. However, the soil conservation district may review the status of designation at […]

§ 43-34-106. Procedures, Limitations and Responsibilities

Upon establishment of an agricultural district the following procedures, limitations, and responsibilities apply: Any ownership within an agricultural district that has received a notice of condemnation proceedings against its property may request the local soil conservation district to conduct a public hearing to review the project’s impact on that property. The public hearing shall be […]

§ 43-34-107. Boundary Designation

An individual agricultural district may be comprised of ownerships residing in more than one (1) soil conservation district as long as the conditions of a contiguous boundary are satisfied. In such a case, each soil conservation district shall have the responsibility to meet the requirements of this chapter within the county of its jurisdiction.

§ 43-34-108. Intent

It is not the intent of the general assembly in adopting this chapter to in any way prohibit, restrict, inhibit, or affect municipalities and/or counties in the exercise of the specific powers delegated by title 6, chapter 51; title 13, chapter 3, parts 1, 3 and 4; title 13, chapter 4; title 13, chapter 7, […]