North Carolina Awards $51.2 Million for Farmland Preservation
North Carolina state officials announced a $51.2 million statewide investment on Friday, distributing farmland preservation grants to protect agricultural operations across several western counties, according to wlos.com. This funding arrives as some small-scale farmers in the region report ongoing struggles to recover two years after Tropical Storm Helene.
The funding flows through the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. It marks the largest single-year investment in the program’s history, according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
Western Counties Receiving Agricultural Grants
Ten counties in the western part of the state are slated to receive awards from the fund. Those areas include Avery, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Watauga counties, wlos.com reported.
State grants target county governments and nonprofit groups. The money supports agricultural conservation easements, specific development projects, and comprehensive agricultural plans designed to keep working lands in production.
State Budget Allocations and Program History
The General Assembly’s 2026-27 budget anchors the historic spending package. State agriculture officials note that the financial package includes $46.9 million in nonrecurring funding alongside $2 million in recurring funding dedicated to the trust fund.
The Farmland Preservation Division maintains a complete list of grant awards through its official website for public review.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Farmland Grants
What specific projects do these grants fund?
The trust fund provides money to county governments and nonprofit organizations for agricultural conservation easements, specific agricultural development projects, and localized agricultural plans.
How can the public view the complete list of award recipients?
A full roster of the grant awards is available through the NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division website.
What is the breakdown of the state budget funding for the trust fund?
The General Assembly’s 2026-27 budget provides $46.9 million in nonrecurring funding and $2 million in recurring funding for the trust fund, according to the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
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