Oconee County agricultural advisory board forms preservation subcommittee and votes to seek budget for outreach and a county agricultural liaison

The Oconee County Agricultural Advisory Board on Tuesday voted to form a subcommittee to produce public education materials about farmland preservation and zoning, directed staff to request money for printing and outreach, and asked staff to request that the county include a full-time agricultural communications liaison in the upcoming budget.

The actions grew out of an extended discussion about using zoning tools, county policy and public outreach to protect working farms as development increases across the county. Board members highlighted the county comprehensive plan language that recommends supporting the South Carolina Right to Farm Act and creating county-level policies and staff to coordinate agricultural outreach.

Why it matters: Board members said development pressure and rising land prices are reducing the county’s agricultural base and making it harder for the next generation of farmers to acquire land. The board framed the short-term goal as public education — “rebranding” zoning and producing brochures, signs and other materials — and the longer-term goal as securing county support through a budgeted staff position and county policy.

What the board did - The board approved a motion to create a subcommittee (named in discussion as the “Preservation and Promotion of Agricultural Land in Oconee County” subcommittee) to draft educational materials about land-use options, zoning categories and farmland protection. Board members Kim and David McMahan volunteered to serve on the subcommittee; the group also invited other board members to join. - The board directed county staff (via a motion) to request additional funds in the advisory board’s operational budget to print and distribute outreach materials (brochures/pamphlets/signage) to inform…