As used in sections 54-17-34 through 54-17-34.5:
1. "First-time farmer" means an individual who is a North Dakota resident who has not at any time had any direct or indirect ownership interest in substantial farmland in the operation of which the individual materially participated, who will be the principal user of the farmland, and who will materially and substantially participate on the farm of which the land is a part in the operation of the farm.
2. "Substantial farmland" means any parcel of land unless the parcel is smaller than thirty percent of the median size of a farm in the county in which the parcel is located.