For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AGRICULTURAL LAND. All real property within the boundaries of the county that is lying in the "A" and "C" Districts, or that is lying in other zoning districts if carried on the tax rolls of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) as agricultural or that is lying in other zoning districts if it has been used as an agricultural operation continuously for one year.
AGRICULTURAL OPERATION. Includes but is not limited to all matters set forth in the definition of "operation" in Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, § 5-308(a), as amended from time to time; the production of all matters encompassed within the definition of "farm product'' in the Md. Code, Agriculture Article, § 10-601(c), as amended from time to time; the cultivation and tillage of the soil; composting; production, harvesting, and processing of agricultural crops; raising poultry; production of eggs; production of milk and dairy products; production of livestock, including pasturage; production of bees and their products; production of fish; production of fruit, vegetables, and other horticultural crops; production of aquatic plants; aquaculture; production of timber, and any commercial agricultural procedure performed as incident to or in conjunction with such operations, including preparation for market, delivery to storage or to market or to carriers for transportation to market; and usage of land in furtherance of educational and social goals, such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America, etc.
COMMITTEE. Carroll County Agricultural Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Carroll County Board of Commissioners to fulfill the purpose described in § 160.04(B) of this chapter.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. Those methods used in connection with agricultural operations which do not violate applicable federal, state, or local laws or public health, safety, and welfare and which are generally accepted agricultural practices in the agriculture industry. GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES includes practices which are recognized as best management practices and those methods which are authorized by various governmental agencies, bureaus, and departments, such as the Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Maryland, the Carroll County Natural Resource Conservation Service, etc. If no generally accepted agricultural practice exists or there is no method authorized by those agencies mentioned herein which governs a practice, the practiced presumed to be a GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE.
(Ord. 2022-14, passed 8-25-2022)