§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]