The New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District has announced the opening of applications for the North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program. This program allows local farms to apply for cost-sharing funds aimed at improving various conservation efforts.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on April 21, 2025, and should be emailed to Dru Harrison at drharrison@nhcgov.com.
A necessary site visit must occur before April 30, 2025, for applications to be considered eligible. According to North Carolina law, applicants must establish themselves as a bona fide farm. Chapter 106 – Article 72 of North Carolina’s code specifies several criteria for eligibility, including tax certificates and farm management plans. A property owner must show at least three years of operational history, be within New Hanover County, and provide evidence such as a farm sales tax exemption certificate or a Farm ID number from the Farm Service Agency.
In some exceptional cases, the Soil & Water Commission might allow applicants to prove farming engagement via alternate documentation if the farm aligns with the program’s purposes.
For more information or assistance with the application process, contact Dru Harrison at drharrison@nhcgov.com. The program encourages qualified farms to take advantage of this opportunity to support community conservation objectives.
