VAD Eligibility Notes

• An example of a farm earning 25 percent of its gross sales from the sale of nonfarm products and still qualifying as a bona fide farm exempt from county zoning regulations could be a farm that primarily produces and sells vegetables but also operates a farm stand where they sell other products of which the primary ingredients are not produced on that farm.
• Value-added agricultural products may qualify as nonfarm products. Examples include jams, jellies, preserves, sauces, pickles, salsa, baked goods, cheese, wine, cider, honey, maple syrup, and other processed products that are produced at other locations.
• Farm-related products may qualify as nonfarm products. Examples include farm equipment, tools, supplies, livestock feed, seeds, gardening supplies, farm-themed crafts, farm-themed merchandise, and other farm-related products.
• Non-agricultural products may qualify as nonfarm products. Examples include handicrafts, art, antiques, handmade products, clothing, and other gifts. In this case, the farm's primary income stream is the production and sale of vegetables, but they also generate some income from the sale of nonfarm products through their farm stand. As long as the farm meets the other requirements to qualify as a bona fide farm under the county zoning regulations, such as qualification for present-use value enrollment, the farm would still be considered a bona fide farm and exempt from certain county zoning regulations.
• It is important to note that the burden of establishing that the property’s sale of nonfarm products did not exceed 25 percent of its gross sales is on the landowner.

Program Resources

VAD Model Ordinance - 2021 Statute Updates

VAD Statute Changes - 8-19-2021 

VAD Enrollment and Withdrawal Procedures 

VAD Application and Enrollment Example

VAD Removal Example 

Farmland Protection Plan Statutory Requirements

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2024 VAD Webinar Series