What's Chatham County Doing?

Chatham County addresses rural character through a section in its Land Conservation and Development Plan. This plan identifies four major principles to protect the rural landscape: 1) Support farming and forestry in predominantly agricultural and silvicultural areas; 2) Encourage rurally compatible residential development in rural areas; 3) Protect important natural areas and resource lands; and 4) Preserve scenic and historic landscapes. These principles recommend such actions as:

• Establishing an official county agricultural advisory board;
• Establishing a Farms for the Future program, which will have components including market studies and marketing assistance to promote agricultural economic development in the county and technical assistance on farm infrastructure financing;
• Creating a Land Link program to connect beginning farmers with experienced ones, and advocacy for organic and specialty farming in the county;
• Developing qualitative standards such as design guidelines to take into account specific site characteristics when reviewing individual development proposals;
• Conducting an inventory of scenic and historic landscapes; and
• Educating landowners about the potential tax benefits of protecting scenic and historic resources.

Additionally, the County has a Farmland Preservation Plan, including a Voluntary Agricultural District Program. In 2011, Chatham County completed a Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which is a detailed document that addresses long-range development planning and the preservation of natural resources as a way to ensure the prosperity and health of Chatham County. Finally, through an active 4-H program, the County reaches out to young people to become involved in agriculture-related projects and programming.