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Agriculture (Subscribe) Agricultural terms, definitions, and concepts.

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100-year water supply updated

Requirement of Arizona's Departments of Water Resources (ADWR) and Real Estate (ADRE) that developers (subdividers) demonstrate that an assured or adequate water supply will be physically, legally, and continuously available for the next 100 years in new subdivisions. If the subdivision is located within one of ADWR's Active Management Areas (AMA), a public report will not be issued and lots may not be sold until an assured 100-year water supply is demonstrated. Outside of AMA's, developers are required to ask ADWR for an assessment of the availability of water. In these areas, lots may still be sold even if ADWR deems the water supply inadequate, as long as this information is disclosed to prospective buyers.

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Accretion updated

1. The gradual and natural growth of land resulting from forces of nature, as in sediment deposition by a river or stream.
2. The incremental augmentation or accrual of something, such as interest on an investment.

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Acre popular

8 out of 10 stars (9 votes)

Area measurement (square measure) used primarily in the United States. One (1) acre is equal to 43,560 square feet, 4,046.86 square meters, or 0.4047 hectares.

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Acre equivalents or conversions popular

10 out of 10 stars (1 vote)

One (1) acre equals 43,560 square feet. One (1) acre equals ten (10) square chains. One (1) acre equals 160 square rods, poles, or perches. One (1) acre equals 4,840 square yards. One (1) acre equals 4,046.856 square meters. One (1) acre equals 0.4047 hectares. One (1) acre equals 0.0016 square miles or sections. One (1) acre equals 0.004 square kilometers. One (1) acre equals 0.0000434 townships. One (1) acre equals 1.183676 arpents. One (1) acre equals 4.0 roods.

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Acre-foot

A unit of water volume measurement; the amount of water that would cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot.

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Acreage limitation

With respect to agricultural commodity policies, acreage limitation generally refers to production controls on the amount of land that can be planted with a particular crop. This often refers to planting restrictions under an acreage reduction program, set-aside, or paid land diversion.

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Active Management Area (AMA)

Administered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the state's Active Management Areas (AMA's) were established to provide long-term management and conservation of limited groundwater supplies. The five (5) AMA's - Prescott, Phoenix, Pinal, Tucson, and Santa Cruz - cover the majority of Arizona's agricultural land and urban population centers that exist where groundwater supplies are extremely limited. Rules governing water use and land development in AMA's are generally more stringent and focused on conservation of water resources in than elsewhere in the state. Applications for new development and subdivisions are managed by ADWR's Office of Assured and Adequate Water Supply under the Assured Water Supply Program.

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Acute toxicity

Harmful biological effects that occur following a single or multiple rapid exposures to or doses of a noxious compound or substance

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Agribusiness

The business of agricultural production, particularly that of food supply. This term applies generically to such various enterprises as farm equipment, machinery, and supplies; seed production; livestock and poultry operations; processing; and sales and distribution.

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Agricultural protection zoning popular

Zoning policies intended to protect farmland and farming activities from incompatible nonfarm uses, such as residential and commercial development. Agricultural protection zoning, aslo referred to as agricultural zoning, can specify many factors, such as preferred land use, minimum size of farm or the number of nonfarm or residential dwellings allowed. Agricultural zoning is usually based on historic land use, soil properties, and location and allows activities such as orchards, farms, ranching, or timber production.

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Agricultural zoning popular

Zoning policies intended to protect farmland and farming activities from incompatible nonfarm uses, such as residential and commercial development. Agricultural zoning, aslo referred to as agricultural protection zoning, can specify many factors, such as preferred land use, minimum size of farm or the number of nonfarm or residential dwellings allowed. Agricultural zoning is usually based on historic land use, soil properties, and location and allows activities such as orchards, farms, ranching, or timber production.

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Agroecology

Term describing the incorporation of ecological considerations into agricultural operations, with special emphasis on ecological and ecosystem sustainability.

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Alternative agriculture popular

Agricultural production that includes ecological and sustainability concerns in addition to economic and commodity values. Also known as sustainable agriculture, this set of farming methods often includes organic farming, locally-based food production, biological pest control, and unique marketing strategies. This type of system is sustainable in the sense that the social, economic, and ecological benefits can last for extended periods of time without degradation of natural resources.

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Animal unit (AU)

A unit of measurement for animals in any feeding operation. This measure expresses the size of the animal feeding operation (AFO). One beef cow is equal to 1 animal unit. Different types of animals or feeding operations use different multipliers and ratios.

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Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR)

The Department of Water Resources is Arizona's state water management agency. Created during enactment of the Groundwater Management Code (1980), the department is charged with securing long-term water supplies for communities within the State of Arizona. Principal duties of ADWR include implementation of the Groundwater Management Code, registration of all surface and groundwater rights, ensuring the safety of non-federal dams, assisting with local management of floodplains, and representing Arizona in interstate water discussions.

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Aspect updated popular

The direction in which a slope faces, usually recorded as a bearing or azimuth.

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Basal area (BA) updated

On a per tree basis, basal area is the surface area in square feet of the cross section of the tree bole at breast height. On a per acre basis, it expresses the total basal area for all trees within that acre. It is an efficient and logical measurement of stand density and is the basis for many silvicultural prescriptions and forest management activities.

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Best management practices (BMP's)

A set of land management guidelines that emphasize soil conservation and water quality. BMP's are often formulated and adopted at the state level.

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Blackjack pine

Term used for a younger (generally less than 120 years old) ponderosa pine that displays black colored bark

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Closed-range jurisdiction

An area where livestock owners are required to fence their animals in. Also known as fence-in jurisdiction.

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Commercial value

1. Usefuleness or desirability as a business, commodity, or investment. 2. A quality or characteristic of an investment, property, goods, or services such that it can be sold or traded at a profit.

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Comprehensive plan

10 out of 10 stars (1 vote)

A thorough and intensive master plan to guide the long-term physical development of a particular area based on identified objectives, strategies, and timelines for implementation. Includes plans for land use, housing, community facilities and utlities, transportation of goods and people, and energy use and conservation. Zoning ordinances and policies are developed for different areas or zoning districts based on the master plan.

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Conservation easement

1. An easement designed to preserve and protect open space or important natural areas.
2. A legal agreement between a landowner and either a land trust or government entity that restricts land use and development on a parcel of real property so as to preserve and protect its conservation and natural resource values.

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