<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 8.1. - Application procedure.</div>
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               8.1.1
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               <span class="ital">Application.</span> A landowner may apply to participate in the voluntary/enhanced voluntary agricultural
               district program by making application to the chairperson of the advisory board or
               a designated staff person, and must designate the application as for either voluntary
               or enhanced voluntary status. The application shall be on forms provided by the advisory
               board. The application to participate in the district may be filed with the application
               for certification of qualifying farmland.
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               8.1.2
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               <span class="ital">Conservation Agreement.</span> A conservation agreement (required by G.S. 106-737 and defined in G.S. 121-35) suited
               to status (voluntary or enhanced voluntary) designated by the landowner to sustain,
               encourage, and promote agriculture must be executed by the landowner and recorded
               with the advisory board, which shall record a certified copy of such with the Jackson
               County Register of Deeds. Permitted uses include agriculture, horticulture, forestry,
               and natural outdoor recreation, such as hunting, fishing and horseback riding. Conservation
               agreements for the enhanced agricultural program may, at the election of the parties,
               include provisions requiring that any disputes between the county and the landowner
               be resolved through arbitration or mediation, and, in the event of litigation, that
               the prevailing party be awarded costs, including reasonable attorney fees. The conservation
               agreement for a farm participating in the enhanced voluntary agricultural program
               shall be binding upon all successors in interest to the landowner, except for successors
               in interest resulting from the exercise of rights under a security interest or lien
               that preceded the conservation agreement.
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