Source: NCDA&CS, 9/18/17

The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently awarded more than $3.28 million to help communities across the state protect farmland and promote agricultural enterprises. More than $2.8 million went towards obtaining conservation easements on 1,432 acres of land across the state.

“I am excited that we have been able to help fund easements on more than 1,400 acres of farmland across our state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “These easements take the development pressure off of these families and help maintain their status as working lands for generations to come.”
Following is a list of projects:
• Ashe County received $14,000 to create a Farmland Protection Plan. 
• Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District received $60,146 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 35 acres of cropland and forestland in Cabarrus County. 
• Catawba Lands Conservancy received $183,461 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on a 275-acre dairy farm in Lincoln County. 
• Cleveland County received $150,000 to assist in the purchase of specialized grain handling equipment in Cleveland County and the surrounding area with the objective of developing a regional marketplace for corn, soybeans, wheat and specialty small grains. 
• Hyde Soil and Water Conservation District received $540,611 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 210 acres of cropland. 
• Mainspring Conservation Trust received $1,240,368 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 104 acres of cropland in Cherokee County. 
• N.C. Foundation for Soil & Water Conservation received $114,000 to assist with the purchase of equipment and supplies for a statewide outreach program to improve pasture management, ensure farms are drought resilient and provide conservation equipment to soil and water conservation districts. 
• Pender County Soil and Water Conservation District received two grants: $32,678 to purchase a 50-year easement on 103 acres of forestland and $17,705 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 105 acres of cropland and forestland. 
• Piedmont Lands Conservancy received two grants: $208,475 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on a 114-acre dairy farm and $167,905 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on a 94-acre dairy farm. Both farms are in Randolph County. 
• Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy received two grants: $210,000 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 215 acres of cropland and forestland and $125,000 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 155 acres of cropland and forestland. These lands are in Haywood County. 
• Stanly County received $200,000 to assist with the purchase of equipment for a multi-use arena project. The arena will provide a new venue for activities related to outdoor agriculture, livestock and agritourism. 
• The Conservation Fund received $5,000 to provide Good Agricultural Practices certification training to farmers in Wake County and the surrounding area. 
• The Working Lands Trust received $17,101 to help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 22 acres of forestland in Harnett County.