Watauga County is among 44 North Carolina counties receiving a share of $51.2 million in grants from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. This significant investment is intended to help safeguard working farms and forests, bolstering the state's agricultural economy.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler extended gratitude to the General Assembly for what he called its "historic investment" in farmland preservation, acknowledging the importance of protecting the land that sustains North Carolina communities. He stated that this support would make a lasting difference for farm families and rural communities throughout the state, enabling more landowners to protect their farms and preserve resources for future generations' food and fiber production.
The grants were distributed to farms and projects in Alamance, Anson, Avery, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Camden, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Davie, Duplin, Franklin, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mitchell, Onslow, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Surry, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Wake, Watauga, Wayne, and Wilkes counties.
The General Assembly's 2026-27 budget included $46.9 million in nonrecurring funding and an additional $2 million in recurring funding for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. This allocation represents the largest single-year investment in the program's history.
Agricultural conservation easements offer landowners a voluntary method to protect their working lands. By preserving these farms and forests, the program aims to maintain the necessary land base for agricultural production and support the rural communities and businesses dependent on agriculture.
Commissioner Troxler also expressed appreciation for the farmers, landowners, county governments, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts who supported the cause during a Farmland Preservation Advocacy Day in May. He emphasized that local and farmer support is essential for farmland preservation efforts.
While this round of awards signifies a substantial investment, applicants for future grant cycles should be aware that funding levels can fluctuate. Awards will depend on the resources available during each cycle. Commissioner Troxler noted the high demand for farmland preservation and affirmed continued collaboration with the General Assembly and partners to keep it a priority.
The ADFP Trust Fund provides grants to county governments and nonprofit organizations for various initiatives, including agricultural conservation easements, agricultural development projects, agricultural plans, and Agricultural Growth Zones. Farmers, landowners, and other interested parties wishing to apply for these grants must establish a partnership with a qualified nonprofit conservation organization or a county government to participate in a grant proposal.
