Resource information
This Chapter of the Code of Virginia provides for the preservation of farm and forest lands in Virginia. It establishes the Office of Farmland Preservation as a continuation of the Agricultural Vitality Program within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services of Virginia. The Office shall support local purchase of development rights programs; support localities to purchase agricultural conservation easements; create programs to educate the public about the importance of farmland preservation; provide technical, professional, and other assistance to farmers on matters related to farmland preservation; and provide technical, professional, and other assistance to local governments interested in developing additional farmland preservation policies and programs. The Chapter also creates the Virginia Farmland Preservation Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter. The Chapter requires each state agency to demonstrate that it has considered the impact their projects would have on farm and forest lands in environmental impact reports. It further provides for the list of cases where such environmental impact reports are required.
