Kentucky Agricultural District Program
Kentucky's General Assembly passed the Agricultural District Law in 1982. This law permits a landowner or a group of landowners, owning at least 250 contiguous acres in active agricultural production, to petition their local conservation district to form an agricultural district. The local conservation district board of supervisors reviews the petition, makes their recommendation, and then forwards all information to the Kentucky Soil and Water Conservation Commission for approval to participate in Kentucky's Agricultural District Program.
The purpose of this program is to provide a means by which agricultural land may be protected and enhanced as a viable segment of the state's economy and as an important natural resource, and to minimize the conversion of Kentucky's best agricultural land to non-farm use.
Participation Benefits to Landowners Enrolled
Land enrolled cannot be annexed. If land enrolled in an agricultural district is condemned by a state agency, the agency must mitigate the impact on the conversion of that land to non-farm uses.
Land enrolled is eligible for differential assessment by the local Property Valuation Administrator.
Deferment of paying the assessed cost against their land for the extension of water lines across their property, as long as the land remains enrolled in the program.
Higher ranking when applying for state cost share assistance.
Higher ranking in the application review process for the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (PACE).
To date, there are 426 certified agricultural districts in Kentucky containing approximately 381,429.07 acres. These numbers include 2,974 landowners and 73 counties. The three largest agricultural districts are located in Christian County with 14,604 acres, Hickman County with 9,165 acres, and Woodford County with 9,055 acres. Oldham County currently has five districts.
Land is a valuable resource and an asset required for any kind of development, whether it is urban or rural. Yet, a careful balance must be encouraged whereby our most productive lands are available for agricultural use. Kentucky has been a national leader in the protection of its land resources and promoting the economic importance of its agricultural industry. Kentucky's Agricultural District Program has played a valuable role in protecting our agricultural land base and the family farms across the state.
Steps for Forming an Agricultural District - Outlines the steps to form an agricultural district.
Petition to Establish an Agricultural District - Form to establish a district.
Agricultural District Petition Tracking Form - Petition tracking
form.
Certified Agricultural Districts - Map Shows Certified Agricultural
Districts
For
additional Oldham County information, contact Kurt Mason (502-499-1900)
or call the Division of Conservation office at (502) 573-3080, or e-mail
Stephen A. Coleman or
Anna Harmon.
Please note some of the above documents are in PDF format. You will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view.
Points of Contact:
Oldham County Conservation District
700 W.
Jefferson Street, Suite A
LaGrange, KY 40031
Telephone: (502) 222-5123
Fax: (502) 222-7570
E-mail: occd@insightbb.com
Division
of Conservation
375 Versailles Road
Frankfort,KY 40601
Phone: (502) 573-3080
Fax: (502) 573-1692
Email:
Carolyn.Hestand@ky.gov
Click here to read the applicable Kentucky Statute
