§163D-7  Agricultural projects; agricultural
development plans.  (a)  The corporation may develop and implement
agricultural projects where large tracts of agricultural land have been or will
be taken out of productive agriculture or where, through detailed analysis,
opportunities exist to exploit potential local, national, and international
markets.



(b)  The corporation may initiate and
coordinate the preparation of business and agricultural development plans for
its projects.  The plans shall include a proposal for the organization of the
enterprise, a marketing information and strategy, the impact on existing
agricultural operations throughout the State, and a recommendation for the
construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, alteration, or
repair of any infrastructure or accessory facilities in connection with any
project.



(c)  The corporation may enter into cooperative
agreements with coordinating entrepreneurs or public agencies when the powers,
services, and capabilities of the persons or agencies are deemed necessary and
appropriate for the development and implementation of the business and
agricultural development plans.



(d)  The corporation may purchase, accept, and
maintain permanent conservation easements, or transfer these easements to a
qualified land trust in accordance with the federal Natural Resources
Conservation Service farm and ranch lands protection program.



(e)  Notwithstanding any provision of this
chapter to the contrary, when leasing corporation-controlled agricultural land,
the corporation may contract with a financial institution chartered under
chapter 412 or a federal financial institution, as defined under section
412:1-109, that transacts business in this State to provide lease management
services.  For the purposes of this subsection, "lease management
services" includes the collection of lease rent and any other moneys owed
to the corporation related to the lease of agricultural land under the
corporation's control.



(f)  The agricultural planning activities of
the corporation shall be coordinated with the county planning departments and
the county land use plans, policies, and ordinances.



(g)  The corporation may amend the business and
agricultural development plans as may be necessary.



(h)  Any undertaking by the corporation
pursuant to this chapter shall be with the express written consent of the
landowner or landowners directly affected. [L 1994, c 264, pt of §1; am L 2008,
c 234, §2]