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N.C. grants preserve farmland in Horse Shoe, Fletcher

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 18, 2023

Conserving Carolina was among the land trusts that received grants to preserve farmland from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

The trust recently granted over $15 million to safeguard operational farms and forests, bolster county initiatives for farmland preservation, and advance agricultural ventures. 

Hendersonville-based Conserving Carolina received two grants totaling $759,245.00 to preserve 232 acres of working land on two farms in Henderson County:

  • Sky Brook Farm in Horse Shoe (78.5 acres), owned by Joffrey and Erica Merrill
  • Plumlea Farm in Fletcher (181.6 acres), owned by Fletch and Ruth Roberts

"In both cases, we are also seeking matching funding from the federal Agricultural Land Easement Program," said Kieran Roe, Conserving Carolina's executive director. "Thanks, as always, to our representatives in the N.C. General Assembly — Senator Moffit and Representative Balkcom — for their strong support of farmland preservation programs, such as the state’s Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund."

Other area grants included:

  • Buncombe Soil and Water Conservation District received three grants totaling $984,766.90 to preserve 246 acres of working land on three farms. 
  • Saluda Land Trust received $500,000.00 to preserve 84 acres of working land in Polk County.

Of the statewide total, more than $12.8 million has been allocated to secure 46 agricultural conservation easements spanning 5,000 acres throughout the state. The family-owned farms are now safeguarded against development, attaining the designation of North Carolina Forever Farms. 

“These grants are instrumental in preserving our precious farmland, a resource critical to producing food and fiber today and in the future, and a vital part of our state’s heritage and economy,” North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a news release. “While we celebrate this achievement, there is more work to be done. We must continue investing in our farms, farmers and North Carolina’s future.”