WHITEVILLE, NC — Working farms and timberlands across Columbus, Brunswick, and Bladen counties are among the beneficiaries of a historic $51.2 million statewide investment aimed at protecting working agricultural acreage from rapid commercial and residential development.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) announced the record-setting grant distribution through the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation (ADFP) Trust Fund, marking the largest single-year funding allocation in the program’s history.
Funded through the General Assembly’s state budget appropriations—which included $46.9 million in nonrecurring funds and $2 million in recurring funds—the grants were awarded across 44 counties to secure voluntary agricultural conservation easements, fund local farmland preservation plans, and support agricultural development projects.
Shielding Coastal Carolina Agriculture from Development
For rural communities in Columbus and Brunswick counties, the preservation funds come at a crucial time. Rapid population growth along the coastal plain has placed mounting pressure on family-owned farms and forestry operations, driving up land values and incentivizing residential sub-divisions.
Local agencies and land trusts, including the Columbus Soil and Water Conservation District and regional non-profit conservation partners, work directly with property owners to secure perpetual conservation easements. Under these voluntary agreements, landowners retain ownership and private operation of their farms while legally restricting non-agricultural commercial development, keeping productive soils in production for future generations.
“Maintaining a strong land base is critical if we want to protect North Carolina’s $111+ billion agriculture and agribusiness industry,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler regarding the state grants. “These investments ensure that our state’s working farms, family forests, and rural economies remain resilient.”
Local Impacts & How It Works
Under state law (N.C.G.S. 106-744), individual farmers and private landowners cannot apply directly to the state for trust fund grants. Instead, they partner with certified non-profit conservation groups or county agencies to submit joint proposals.
In addition to funding direct easement purchases, ADFP Trust Fund grants support:
-
Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs): Helping local governments establish and manage agricultural growth zones that protect farm operations from nuisance suits and urban encroachment.
-
Farmland Protection Plans: Assisting county commissioners and local planning boards in developing long-term land-use strategies that balance economic expansion with agricultural preservation.
For landowners in Columbus, Brunswick, and surrounding counties interested in future conservation easement cycles, coordination must be made directly with local county soil and water conservation districts or regional land trust partners. Complete grant award listings and upcoming application cycle timelines can be viewed on the NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division website.
© 2026 CoastalCarolinaNews.com | Jones Media Partners LLC
No content from this publication may be reproduced, republished, or used for commercial purposes without prior written authorization from Jones Media Partners LLC. For questions or comments call 910.898.2770 or you can reach out via our Contact Page.
Be the first to comment