In 1982 Kentucky's General Assembly passed the Agricultural District Law.  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 nonfarm 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 nonfarm 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 480 certified agricultural districts in Kentucky containing approximately 414,524.83 acres.  These numbers include 3,298 landowners and 78 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.

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.