Important Agricultural Lands

State and county incentive programs shall provide preference to IAL and agricultural businesses on IAL. They will support and enhance the policies described above. Incentives may include but are not limited to:

• Assistance in identifying federal, state, and private grant and loan resources for agricultural business planning and operations, assistance with grant and loan application processes, and the processing of grants and loans;
• Property tax assessment of land and improvements used or held only for use in agriculture based on agricultural use value rather than fair market value;
• Tax incentives to offset operational costs, promote agricultural business viability, and promote the long-term protection of important agricultural lands;
• Tax incentives and programs for equity investments and financing for agricultural operations and value-added agricultural development, including agricultural irrigation systems;
• Reduced infrastructure requirements and facilitated building permit processes for the construction of dedicated agricultural structures;
• Tax credits for the sale or donation of agricultural easements on IAL;
• General excise tax exemption for retail sales of farm produce;
• Programs and mechanisms that promote investment in agricultural businesses or agricultural land protection, such as the purchase of development rights;
• State funding mechanisms to fund business viability and land protection programs;
• Water regulations and policies that provide farmers of IAL access to adequate and cost-effective sources of water;
• Establishment of a permanent state revolving fund, escalating tax credits based on the tax revenues generated by increased investment or agricultural activities conducted on IAL, and dedicated funding sources to provide moneys for incentives and other programs;
• Establishment of a means to analyze the conformity of state-funded projects with the intent and purposes of this Act, and a mechanism for mitigation measures when projects are not in conformance;
• Institution of a requirement for the preparation of an agricultural impact statement that would include mitigation measures for adverse impacts for proposed state or county rulemaking that may affect agricultural activities,
• Agricultural education and training for new farmers; upgrading the skills of existing farmers and other agriculture-related employees through the use of mentoring, business incubators, and public or private scholarships; and increasing the returns of farming by adding value to food processing and other tools and methods.

State and county agencies shall review the incentive measures at least every five years.