The rolling hills of pasture and cropland might well be the most defining characteristic of Stanly County in the minds of LandTrust supporters. Thanks to Barry and Angela McSwain, 320 acres of this fabulous farming character is permanently protected by a conservation easement.

This property epitomizes the popular phrase of “No Farms, No Food.” With a rotation including corn and soybeans, this property is a remaining part of North Carolina’s breadbasket. Managing a farm requires a great deal of skill and experience, particularly when faced with unexpected weather conditions such as this year’s drought. As many acres of farmland are lost each year in North Carolina, few realize the true importance of and work that goes into keeping our state’s farms viable and in production. For this we should all be appreciative to our farmers, particularly those as dedicated as the McSwains.

The donation of this easement marks the largest individual property under conservation easement in Stanly County, and one of the largest easements in The LandTrust’s history.