farmland preservation

Commissioner Troxler: Farmland preservation is critical as North Carolina’s population continues to rapidly grow

by Commissioner Troxler | Jan 4, 2023

I spend a great deal of time on the road with my job. Seeing the state, particularly the areas outside of our urban centers, is something I enjoy most about my work. Seeing both the rural and urban areas serves as an excellent reminder that North Carolina is more...

Farmland Preservation grant cycle open through Dec. 19.

by Heather Overton | Dec 1, 2022

Summary: Farmland preservation has remained a key focus of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services due to the continuing loss of agricultural lands in the state to development. To help combat this issue, farmland preservation grants are available for...

Evan Davis to lead Farmland Preservation division

by Joey Pitchford | Feb 7, 2022

For the first time in over a decade, there is a new face at the head of Farmland Preservation. Evan Davis, Farmland Preservation division director, took over leadership of the division at the start of 2022 after previously serving as assistant director since 2018. Born in Davidson County, Davis grew up near High Point, taking […]

Dewitt Hardee retires after 36 years of bringing people together

by Joey Pitchford | Jan 7, 2022

One look at Dewitt Hardee’s resume is enough to make your head spin. Hardee, who retired Dec. 31, has been a fixture at NCDA&CS for the entirety of his 36-year tenure. While many may know him by his most recent and longest-tenured position as Farmland Preservation Director, Hardee’s career saw him become one of the […]

Farmland preservation remains a critical priority for North Carolina. Latest grant cycle open until Dec. 17

by Heather Overton | Dec 15, 2021

Summary: County governments and nonprofit groups encouraged to apply for funding for farmland preservation projects as the threat to farmland in North Carolina remains significant. The deadline for the latest round of funding is Dec. 17. One of my top priorities when I first ran for and won office 16 years ago was farmland preservation. […]

Passion for land leads Sabrina Shaffer to NCDA&CS

by Joey Pitchford | May 13, 2021

Sabrina Shaffer brings a personal perspective to her work in the NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation division. Shaffer, who joined the division as a Farmland Preservation Specialist in December 2020, is responsible for helping review the many documents needed for farms to enter under conservation easements. Those easements are critical to the division’s mission, as they limit […]

Local leaders look for ways to preserve farmland in the face of residential growth

by Joey Pitchford | Feb 3, 2021

Education and zoning laws are just a few of the ways that local leaders in North Carolina are hoping to fight farmland loss. Between 2001 and 2016, around 6.7 percent of North Carolina’s total farmland was converted into residential and commercial land. That is the second highest percentage in the country during that time, and […]

Local governments face unique challenges in fighting farmland loss

by Joey Pitchford | Sep 9, 2020

Across North Carolina, farmland loss has accelerated at an unprecedented rate over the last 20 years. Between 2001 and 2016, around 6.7 percent of North Carolina’s total farmland was converted into residential and commercial land. That is the second highest percentage in the country during that time, and it accounts for over 730,000 acres of […]

Farmland under threat part 1: What is the issue?

by Joey Pitchford | Jun 24, 2020

As residential and commercial development spread, farmland across America is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. According to a new American Farmland Trust report, “Farms Under Threat: The State of the States,” 11 million acres of farmland was either fragmented or completely lost between 2001 and 2016, with 4.4 million acres being among the best […]

Today’s Topic: Latest farmland preservation efforts preserve more than 800 acres; first joint partnership between Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and the U.S. Air Force.

by Heather Overton | Jan 9, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The department’s Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently signed the first two conservation easements under a joint partnership with the U.S. Air Force. The project protects more than 800 acres from two farms in Northeastern […]

Today’s Topic: Farmland preservation trust fund awards grants totaling more than $3.2 million

by Brian Long | Oct 3, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently awarded almost $3.3 million to help North Carolina communities protect farmland and promote agricultural enterprises. Of that total, more than $2.8 million went toward obtaining conservation easements […]

Today’s Topic: NC wins federal grant to protect farms, forests, military training

by Brian Long | May 9, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has secured $9.2 million in federal funding to protect farm and forest lands from development and help the military maintain its training. The grant, from the Defense Department’s Readiness […]

Admin