The Union County Agricultural Advisory Board was established to implement the provisions of the Union County Voluntary Agricultural District & Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance. The Advisory Board consists of nine voting members and three nonvoting members, all appointed by the Board of Commissioners; provided however, that the number of voting members may be increased without amendment to the Ordinance if necessary.

Membership Requirements:

• Each Advisory Board member shall be a Union County resident.
• At least six of the nine voting members shall be actively engaged in farming.
• One of the members shall be the President of the Union County Farm Bureau or his designee.
• One of the members shall be a member of the Board of Commissioners who shall serve in a nonvoting capacity.
• One of the members shall be the Department Head of the Union Soil and Water Conservation District who shall serve in an ex officio and nonvoting capacity.
• One of the members shall be the Chairman of the Union Soil and Water Conservation District who shall serve in a nonvoting capacity.
• The members actively engaged in farming shall be selected for appointment by the Board of Commissioners from the names of individuals submitted to the Board of Commissioners by the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Cooperative Extension Service, the Farm Service Agency, and the Union County Farm Bureau with an effort to have the broadest geographical representation possible.
• Each District and Enhanced District shall have a member on the Advisory Board. Members shall serve three-year terms with re-appointments permitted. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners

Duties of the Advisory Board

• Review and make determinations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts
• Conduct public hearings
• Advise the Board of Commissioners on projects, programs or issues affecting the agricultural economy or activities within the County that will affect agricultural districts
• Review and make recommendations concerning proposed amendments to the Union County Voluntary Agricultural District & Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance
• Prepare a draft of the report required by G.S. 106-743, and Article XVI of the Ordinance, giving the status, progress and activities of the Advisory Board
• Study additional methods of farmland preservation and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners
• Advise Cooperative Extension and the Board of Commissioners on a variety of matters, to include the Commission-approved Agricultural Services and Conference Center operating rules and regulations
• Perform other agricultural related tasks or duties assigned by the Board of Commissioners.

Notes: If a member name cell is blank, it can mean either the current position and term are vacant, or the person who served in the capacity during the term date is still serving until a new appointment is made.

Legislation

Union County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance adopted on May 7, 2001, and the Union County Voluntary Agricultural District & Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance adopted on September 21, 2009.

Number of Positions

12

Meeting Information

Members Notified

Union County Agricultural Service Center, Presson Road, Monroe, NC