RALEIGH — North Carolina has awarded $51.2 million in farmland preservation grants across 44 counties, marking the largest single-year investment in the state’s preservation history.
The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation (ADFP) Trust Fund announced the historic slate of grant awards on Friday, Oct. 2. Among the designated award recipients are Columbus and Brunswick counties, positioning local farming and forestry operations to receive lasting protection against non-agricultural development.
Protecting Local Agricultural Roots
In southeastern North Carolina, rapidly expanding development and shifting land use have put increased pressure on working family farms. The inclusion of Columbus and Brunswick counties in this grant cycle offers local landowners a voluntary pathway to preserve their acreage for future agricultural production.
“I want to sincerely thank the General Assembly for its historic investment in farmland preservation and for recognizing the importance of protecting the land that sustains us,” said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This support will make a significant, lasting difference for farm families and rural communities across North Carolina.”
Troxler also highlighted the critical role played by local advocates—including county governments, soil and water conservation districts, and area land trusts—who backed the initiative during the state’s Farmland Preservation Advocacy Day in May.
Record Legislative Funding
The historic $51.2 million allocation stems from the General Assembly’s 2026–27 budget, which provided $46.9 million in nonrecurring funds alongside $2 million in recurring support directly to the ADFP Trust Fund.
Grants distributed through the program support several key initiatives:
-
Agricultural Conservation Easements: Voluntary agreements that allow landowners to permanently protect working farms and forests from commercial or residential sprawl.
-
Agricultural Plans & Development Projects: Funding to help local county leaders design long-term growth strategies that support agricultural infrastructure.
-
Agricultural Growth Zones: Targeted local areas designed to keep farming viable and economically sustainable.
To access these funds, local farmers and private landowners partner with qualified county governments or nonprofit land conservation organizations to submit joint proposals.
High Demand for Preservation
While celebrating the unprecedented funding level, state agricultural officials noted that demand for farmland preservation across North Carolina remains high. Future grant amounts will depend on available resources and legislative support in coming budget cycles.
More Information: A complete breakdown of individual grant awards across Columbus, Brunswick, and neighboring regional counties is available online through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 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