Grant funds to protect farmland
Three Western North Carolina properties are among those to be protected through $3.28 million in grants recently awarded by the N.C. Agriculture Development and Farmland Preservation Trust.
• Mainspring Conservation Trust received $1.24 million to help buy a perpetual conservation easement on 104 acres of cropland in Cherokee County.
• Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy received grants for two properties in Haywood County. A $210,000 grant will help purchase a perpetual conservation easement on 215 acres of cropland and forestland, while a $125,000 grant will help buy a perpetual conservation easement on 155 acres of cropland and forestland.
In addition, the N.C. Foundation for Soil & Water Conservation received $114,000 to assist with purchase of equipment and supplies for a statewide program to improve pasture management, ensure farms are drought-resilient and provide conservation equipment to soil and water conservation districts.
