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.