American Farmland Trust: Issues & Programs

American Farmland Trust works to protect farmland and make sure farming remains a way of life in North Carolina. Our programs, projects and advocacy have impacted communities across the state.

North Carolina Farmland Preservation Funding – The Moment of Truth

If you care about funding for farmland preservation in North Carolina, now is your chance to make a difference. While you’re reading this story, House and Senate members of the N.C. General Assembly are meeting to create a budget compromise. Your calls to your legislators are crucial; let them know how valuable this fund could be for the future of farming in your community. More

Energy a New Market for North Carolina Farmers

Energy is the hot topic in North Carolina farm country these days. The increasing popularity of biodiesel could benefit North Carolina, which has significant soybean acreage. While farmers in the western and central parts of the state have been able to develop value-added enterprises such as wineries and agritourism, the agricultural community in the sparsely populated eastern part of the state has been searching for opportunities that can sustain their larger acreage. Biodiesel offers potential for N.C. growers both in the production of soybeans and in the development of processing plants that could make significant contributions to rural development. more

NC Enacts Major Changes to Farmland Preservation Act

North Carolina passed its first major changes to the state's Farmland Preservation Act since 1986. H607, Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts, expands the state's definition of agriculture, creates an advisory board and a broader array of tools for the state's purchase of agricultural conservation easements (PACE) program and establishes a new tier of benefits in the agricultural districts program. more

Black Family Land Trust: Working to Preserve African American Resources through Land Ownership

The Black Family Land Trust (BFLT), which began development at a meeting in Salter Path, NC in September 2002, is combining the tools of traditional conservation land trusts, community economic development organizations, and black land retention advocacy groups to slow the dramatic rate of loss of African American land around the Southeast. The mission of the organization is to ensure, protect, and preserve the natural, historic, environmental and community resources of African Americans through land ownership. more