Title
Receive a presentation and vote to approve FY2025 Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development Farmland Preservation Grant Awards and Triangle Land Conservancy Partner Update
Abstract
The Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development (CAPD) Trust Fund was established to award farmland preservation grants for the acquisition of permanent working farmland conservation easements and other projects to preserve and promote agriculture in Chatham County.
Chatham Farmland Preservation Program Staff is seeking approval of four farmland preservation grants for the current FY2025 cycle totaling $325,000, the amount approved by the Chatham BOC for FY2025 grant awards at the October 12, 2024, Board Meeting. Three projects preserving approximately 366 acres of Chatham County farmland for $250,000 will be presented to the board for approval, in addition to a organizational capacity grant of $75,000 to the Triangle Lands Conservancy in support of their farmland preservation work in the county.
In addition, staff from the Triangle Lands Conservancy will update members of the BOC on their current and planned farmland preservation activities in Chatham County as part of an overall update on the farmland preservation program.
Discussion & Analysis: The Chatham County Board of Commissioners established the county’s farmland preservation program in October 2022. In FY2024, the CAPD made selected its initial round of grant projects totaling $600,000. In October 2025, the BOC approved $325,000 for FY2025 farmland preservation projects. After a grant application and review process, farmland preservation staff is presenting a slate of four grant projects recommended for awards of the FY 2025 farmland preservation funds.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The 2017 Chatham County Comprehensive Plan supports both the broad preservation of Chatham County farms and rural areas and the acquisition of working farmland conservation easements using designated local and state funds:
• “Preserving rural character” was identified as the most important goal for the “Plan Chatham” process (page. 18).
• “Preserving, protecting, and enabling agriculture and forestry” is a primary goal of “Plan Chatham” (p. 93).
• “Supporting permanent, voluntary protection of agricultural lands” is AGR Policy 5 of “Plan Chatham.” “Implementing a county-led farmland protection program” is Strategy 5.1 for this Policy.
Budgetary Impact: The Chatham County BOC approved the distribution of up to $325,000 from the Article 46 tax revenue dedicated for farmland preservation at their October 2024 meeting. The grant projects recommended for approval will be funded through these designated funds. No other budgetary impact is anticipated.
Recommendation/Motion: Receive a presentation and approve the FY25 projects recommended for CAPD grant awards.