Carolina Conservation: One Dairy Farm Conserves 257 Acres for Future Generations
As development continues to expand in North Carolina, one farm is taking efforts to preserve their farmland.
PITTSBORO, N.C- National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month in 1937 to promote drinking milk. It was initially created to stabilize the dairy demand when production was at a surplus. It has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world.
Agriculture has been a staple in North Carolina's economy, recording over $100 billion dollars in economic production. The state is known for its sweet potatoes, poultry, pork, and tobacco. But it also has a sizeable dairy community as well, according to the 2022 Agricultural Census there are 402 farms with over 39,000 head. All of these types of farms are facing unprecedented land loss. But one dairy farm in Chatham County has taken steps to ensure that their farm will be protected.
Manco Dairy Farm
Manco Dairy Farm is in Chatham County, North Carolina. The farm is northwest of the town of Pittsboro and has been owned and managed by the Mann family since 1840.
Manco Dairy Farm grows most of the feed on 140 acres of cropland for its herd of Red Holstein milking cows. There are also 70 acres of forest on the property and a stream that runs from the Manco Dairy Farm to a farm which is also conserved with a conservation easement.
Why the Landowner Chose Permanent Protection
The town of Pittsboro is a rapidly expanding area in Chatham County, with lots of new developments underway on the outskirts of the town.
Easements are a win-win for the farmer and the public, guaranteeing permanent protection of vital wildlife habitat, scenic views, and local agriculture while providing peace of mind and financial incentives for landowners. Easements allow farmers to keep the land as a working farm in perpetuity and profit from its increased market value without having to sell it for development.
How the Land was Protected
This working land easement was made possible through a partnership effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE), the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust, the Triangle Land Conservancy, and a donation from the Mann family.
ACEP-ALE protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. It also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land. ACEP-ALE helps private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting nonagricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
What was Accomplished
Triangle Land Conservancy staff first visited Mann's farm in 2019 to discuss conservation easement options to ensure their century farm would be protected in perpetuity.
The average farm size in Chatham County is 95 acres. This 257-acre easement significantly contributes to retaining the rural character prioritized by Chatham County residents in the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan.
About the Partners
Triangle Land Conservancy
Triangle Land Conservancy strives to create a healthier and more vibrant Triangle region by safeguarding clean water, protecting natural habitats, supporting local farms and food, and connecting people with nature through land protection and stewardship, catalyzing community action and collaboration.
North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust
The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund supports the farming, forestry, and horticulture communities within the North Carolina agriculture industry.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCS provides America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, helping the environment and agricultural operations. To find out more, visit www.farmers.gov/conserve.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. To get started, please visit your local USDA Service Center. To find the nearest center visit USDA Service Center Locator.
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