In 2022 the citizens of Mauzy, a rural community in northeastern Rockingham County, united to oppose a rezoning that would have allowed for a large-scale, heavily-trafficked truck stop at the Interstate 81/Route 11 interchange. Community members believed that the rezoning would have significant negative impacts on the environment, traffic, and rural character of the local community.
After the truck stop rezoning was, thankfully, denied by the Rockingham Board of Supervisors, the Mauzy community banded together again to explore ways to preempt future incompatible development proposals and formally document the vision of a rural Mauzy. Led by community members Dee Dee Sellers and Tim Murray with support from the Alliance, Mauzy residents are now celebrating Rockingham County’s newest Agricultural and Forestal District, (the first new district in about 25 years!) formed in March 2024.
Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs) are just one of the land conservation tools used to ensure land remains undeveloped and the natural resources on the land are protected. AFDs are temporary agreements between a locality and landowners who agree to keep their property undeveloped and available for farming or forestry for a certain period of time, usually 4 to 10 years. It is not the same as a zoning district. Participation is voluntary and a landowner must apply to put their land in an AFD.
If you or your neighbors are interested in learning more about how to create an agricultural and forestal district, our county coordinators would be glad to assist!
View the Alliance’s Kim Sandum and Mauzy resident Tim Murray’s conversation in our Great Community Give Wake Up and Make A Difference event about the journey from journey from the truck stop proposal to an Agricultural and Forestal District.
The Alliance staff was excited to celebrate some of the Mauzy residents who worked so hard to make the Ag-Forestal District a reality with some local Smiley’s Ice Cream at our office in New Market in May.
Top photo by Kevin Tate. Ice cream party photos by Maya Alexander.