What are the laws surrounding the use of agricultural land?

In Delaware, it is illegal for any person to use agricultural land for any use other than the cultivation of agricultural crops, groundwater extraction, or the raising of livestock, poultry or fur-bearing animals. All agricultural lands are subject to the Delaware State Agricultural Lands Preservation Program, which helps protect agricultural land from development, urban sprawl, or conversion to other uses. This program allows the state to purchase development rights from landowners in order to protect the land and guarantee its agricultural function. Agricultural lands must be used only in a manner that is compatible with agricultural practice and related activities, and landowners must use the land in a manner that will maintain its productive capacity. This means that land may only be used in a way that does not harm the long-term productivity of the land or harm other agricultural lands. It is illegal to use agricultural lands for activities such as dumping, filling, disposing of hazardous waste, or any other purpose that may harm the land or its productive capacity. Enforcement of agricultural land use laws is managed by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. There are a variety of penalties for violations of Delaware agricultural law, ranging from fines to imprisonment. These penalties can be severe, so it is important for landowners to understand the laws and use their land in a responsible manner.

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What are the laws surrounding the use of agricultural land?

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