More state funding could help turn the tide of farmland loss
JOHNSTON COUNTY – Johnston County’s number one industry is under serious threat. According to the American Farmland Trust, Johnston County is in the top 20 counties in the nation under the greatest threat of farmland loss by 2040. The study projects that 71% of Johnston County’s farmland will be converted to other development in the next two decades. With its close to proximity to the Triangle, it seems as if a new housing development springs up almost monthly.
Farmland loss impacts the state and local economy and has a host of far-reaching implications, including clean air and water, controlling flooding, food and cover for wildlife, and communities’ access to fresh foods. Development choices have a significant effect on the future of farmland and forestland. Safeguarding local farms bolster the global food system and improve people’s daily lives.
There are more farmers in this area than in any other state. Representative Larry Strickland understands farmers’ needs. He grew up on a family farm between Pine Level and the Brogden area and currently co-owns the Strickland Brothers Farm, LLC, with his two brothers.
“I get calls once a week trying to parcel off my land,” Rep. Strickland said. “As the fourth generation of my family to work and maintain my family’s farm, it’s more than just dirt to me. It is family. It’s my Father and Mother, Granddaddy, and Grandmother.”
Thanks in large part to Rep. Strickland’s efforts, the recently-passed state budget increases funding for the NC Department of Agriculture’s farmland preservation fund fourfold, from $5M to $20M in 2024 and adds another $5M the next year, bringing the total funding to $25M in 2025. The new funding could help stem the tide that puts North Carolina second in the nation for potential farmland lost over the next 20 years. Land trusts like Triangle Land Conservancy, using those funds, can partner with landowners to preserve working farms as they’ve done in Johnston County, where they have protected over 5,000 acres of farms.
“Protecting farmland in Johnston County is critical to protecting not only agricultural businesses in the Triangle, but also the natural resources of our entire region,” said Sandy Sweitzer, Executive Director of the Triangle Land Conservancy. “Conservation easements allow for farmers to continue to own and protect acreage from future development and still reap the rewards of their working land.”
The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF) was established in 2005 to support the state’s agricultural economy. The agricultural industry is the number one industry in North Carolina, bringing in more than $91 billion in state revenue. Working family farms are protected from corporate and industrial agricultural development projects through conservation easements and other programs. Since its establishment, over 22,400 acres of working farmland have been protected across North Carolina.
You wanna protect farm land? Do something about these REITs.
WELL DUH!! The OG residents of Johnston County have been SCREAMING about this for years! Stop destroying out wildlife habitats, farmland, and forest for BS cookie-cutter subdivisions, where people are packed in like rats. It’s simple STOP BUILDING AND SAVE OUR FARMS, WILDLIFE, AND FOREST! KEEP OUT OF STATE DEVELOPERS OUT OF OUR COUNTY!!!
Almost everything west of I-95 is gone already.
What happened to capitalism and the free market. I’ll sell my farm or keep it as I please. This sounds like socialism!
This reactions is why so many farms are now houses, no one cares about anything but them selves. Few years ago we saved for our children and G-children. Now they inherit and spend fast as possible. Nothing left for future generations ahead. Not socialism, selfness.
It only takes common sense to know that. I used to live on a quite country road, now a housing development is at the end of the road. They eat and throw out taco bags, Bojangles boxes, drink cans and cups etc in your yard. The stop sign has been torn down twice. And you’re just realizing the farm lands are disappearing. What a bunch of BS.
I agree, some have head in the sands,
No one is forcing folks to sell. Strickland needs to learn that this is AMERICA. People should be able to sell their land to anyone they want. #VoteOutIncumbents
You’re obviously missing the point.
@Setc: No, you are. If you or Strickland ( or anyone) wants to “save” farmland, then *YOU* buy the land. To tell other people what to do with their own land is UN-AMERICAN.
Joco is so congested with the thousands of people who have moved here. It seems like every country road has a subdivision, not the type we’re use to where you had a half acre per house. These subdivisions are like the northern styles with the houses so close together you might as well live in an apartment. We’re losing our Southern Charm, a lot of the people moving here are not friendly, rude and bringing their customs with them. Try making a doctors appointment or needing a service of some sort, plumber, electrician, repair technician ect….. where we use to be able to see our doctor the same day when we’re sick , we now have to wait for weeks or months just to get in. The same goes for services. Going out to eat has become frustrating, we use to walk in be seating and have our food in a timely manner. Now you have to wait sometimes over an hour just to get seated.
Stop allowing more housing to be built, stop allowing more people to move in our small towns and our countryside. We’re not able to accommodate all these people, it’s taking away our friendly small town way of life.
Guess nothing will be done about the farmland loss issue until people start starving here. Of course it will be to late.
I had to lookup what the conservation easements were all about. Interesting what our income tax dollars are used for, but I’m not complaining. Educated me, really.
I agree that in a capitalist society with a free market, folks shouldn’t be telling others whether they should keep their land or sell it. Folks love to tell others what they should be doing with their own property. Mostly complainers with their negative comments about prosperity of others.
Its all about the MANAGEMENT of Growth. Johnston County is ready to update the UDO’s now that the land use maps are finished. Be aware and watch for the public comment periods and GO ATTEND!