The LandTrust is proud to announce the protection of its third property in Davidson County, The homeplace Farm. This 92 acre conservation easement protects some beautiful hardwood forests, the scenic viewshed of a half a mile of road frontage along Pickett Road, and the Reedy Creek Watershed. Additionally, it is home to the Old Leonard School House,  the first school house located in the pastoral town of Welcome, North Carolina.

The Homeplace Farm takes its name from the fact that the owner, Billy Joe Kepley, was born and raised here. This property is located in the Reedy Creek Watershed, which is an area experiencing an increase in development. As a result of this pressure, his close ties to the area and its agricultural heritage, Mr. Kepley decided to place a conservation easement on his property. “In my life I’ve made little decisions and big decisions. This is one the best big decisions I believe I’ve ever made,” Kepley states. He hopes that it will inspire others in Davidson County to protect their farms, as well. The LandTrust welcomes his willingness to host educational and outreach events on his property in the future, so look for these events in coming newsletters. Partial funding for the transactional costs of this project came from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF).