Chatham County, NC - File #: 26-0514

• File #: 26-0514
• Version: 1
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Work Session
• File created: 9/1/2026
• In control: Soil and Water Conservation
• On agenda: 9/21/2026
• Title: Receive a presentation and vote to approve FY27 Farmland Preservation Projects
• Indexes: Comp Plan Goal 1: Preserve the rural character and lifestyle of Chatham County, Comp Plan Goal 2: Preserve, protect, and enable agriculture and forestry., Comp Plan Goal 3: Promote a compact growth pattern by developing in and near existing towns, communities, and in designated, well planned, walkable, mixed use centers., Comp Plan Goal 5: Conserve natural resources.

Title
Receive a presentation and vote to approve FY27 Farmland Preservation Projects

Abstract
Introduction & Background: The Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development (CAPD) grant program was established in FY23 and is now entering its fourth year of grant awards for farmland preservation in North Carolina. In this presentation, representatives of the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) will review five farmland preservation projects totaling 288 acres. The presentation will review the conservation and working lands conservation values of the proposed projects and how TLC is working with the Chatham County farmland preservation program to secure matching grants and resources to acquire these permanent farmland preservation conservation easements.

Discussion & Analysis: This presentation is being made in conjunction with a subsequent presentation from the Chatham County Farmland Preservation Program requesting funding awards from the CAPD program to support the completion of these projects.

How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The Chatham County BOC established the Farmland Preservation Program in 2023 to facilitate the acquisition of permanent farmland preservation conservation easements. Since then, Chatham County has supported TLC landowner outreach and project development initiatives with annual operating support grants. TLC representatives have spent the last several months preparing this slate of farmland preservation projects for funding consideration.

Preserving rural character was identified as the most important goal of the 2017 comprehensive planning process. Supporting permanent, voluntary protection of farmland is AGR Policy 5 in the comprehensive plan, and Strategy 5.1 is implementing a county-led farmland protection program.

Budgetary Impact: Requested farmland preservation funds are currently available in the unallocated balance of the county’s Farmland Preservation Fund. No other budget impacts are anticipated.

Recommend...