As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
AGRICULTURAL LAND
All real property within the boundaries of Caroline County
that is:
A.
Lying in the R Rural Zoning District, and A
Agricultural Zoning District; or
B.
Carried on the tax rolls of the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation as agricultural; or
C.
All other land that has been used as an agricultural
operation continuously for one year.
AGRICULTURAL OPERATION
A.
Includes, but is not limited to, all matters
set forth in the definition of "operation" at Md. Cts. & Jud.
Proc. Code Ann., § 5-308(a), as amended from time to time;
the production of all matters encompassed within the definition of
"farm product" at Md. Agriculture Code Ann., § 10-601(c),
as amended from time to time; the cultivation and tillage of the soil;
composting; spraying; production, harvesting and processing of agricultural
crops; use of irrigation and spreading of manure, lime, fertilizer,
and other soil nutrients and/or improvements; raising poultry and
other fowl; production of eggs; production of milk and dairy products;
production of livestock, including pasturage; production of bees and
their products; production of fruit, vegetables and other horticultural
crops; 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 (including, but not limited
to 4-H clubs and the Future Farmers of America), agro-tourism and
alternative agricultural enterprises; and the like.
B.
Commercial feedlots, commercial swine raising,
and any other uses which are subject to special use exception under
the Caroline County Zoning Ordinance or Caroline County zoning regulations
may not avail themselves of any protections or presumptions in their
favor offered under this law, but are subject to the dispute resolution
procedure set forth herein.
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 include, but are not limited to practices which are recognized
as best management practices and those methods which are recommended
by various governmental agencies, bureaus, and departments, such as
the Caroline County Cooperative Extension Service of the University
of Maryland, the Caroline County Soil Conservation District, and the
like. If no generally accepted agricultural practice exists or there
is no method recommended by those agencies mentioned herein which
governs a practice, the practice is presumed to be a generally accepted
agricultural practice.