“Development is rapidly changing the natural landscape. We did not want that to happen to this land that my grandfather and dad farmed,” Elizabeth Jordan said. “Putting this land in a conservation easement with Three Rivers Land Trust is a way to be faithful to earth’s future generations.”

Agriculture is North Carolina’s number one industry, yet the state ranks second in the nation for potential agricultural land loss, according to the American Farmland Trust. Iredell County ranks 38th nationally for farmland loss.

“Iredell County is changing rapidly, but this farm will remain conserved as a tree nursery and part of the rural landscape. We understand the importance of family farms and working lands, and hope more landowners will consider conserving their property,” said TRLT Executive Director Travis Morehead.

By conserving this property, TRLT is helping conserve working agricultural lands while also contributing to the long-term health of the Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed through the protection of Dutchman Creek.

“The quick rate of development in North Carolina threatens not only our productive agricultural lands and ability to feed future generations but also our native wildlife that utilize these farmlands as habitat,” said Kyle Shores, senior land protection specialist at Three Rivers Land Trust. “Once land is converted for development, it is almost certainly never going to be converted back to agricultural land again.”

Lands like these are only conserved because of willing landowners and partners in conservation who care about conserving the rural landscapes that define the character of North Carolina. To find out how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust’s conservation efforts to save family farms, or to learn how you can conserve your own property, visit www.trlt.org