Coastal Land Trust saves farm
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Jackson Farm to be permanently protected from development

The Jackson Family Farm, a fifth generation farm near Fayetteville that produces heirloom vegetables and flowers for restaurants in the Triangle area, has been protected by North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. The farmstead, which is more than 90 acres, features cultivated farm fields, and a scenic wooded buffer along a tributary of the South River, a river that is recognized as one of the state’s Outstanding Resource Waters. The farm is located within a Voluntary Agricultural District and is an official destination on the NC Birding Trail. The owners operate a guest house for visitors nestled within the farm’s 10 acre wildlife sanctuary.

The Jacksons, like other farm families throughout the nation, are exploring new ways to ensure that farming will continue to thrive. “We know that people will always need places to get away from cities and enjoy nature, so we’ve created not just a birding trail, but also a guest house where visitors can remember the rich, simple pleasures of rural North Carolina 50 years ago,” said Tom Jackson. “We also believe that home grown vegetables and other produce just taste better than food brought in from far away by air or rail. We’re proud to help some of North Carolina’s best restaurants provide local food to their diners.”  Margaret’s Cantina in Chapel Hill and Four Square and Piedmont Restaurants, both in Durham, are among those fine dining establishments supplied by Jackson Farm.

The Coastal Land Trust purchased the development rights of the farm from the Jackson family. Under the terms of the agreement between the owners and the Coastal Land Trust, the land can never be developed into a subdivision nor used for industrial purposes. The acquisition of development rights for this project received support from three different sources: a grant from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant program, the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. The Jacksons also contributed to the project by accepting a price below the market value of the development rights of their property.

In addition to Jackson Farm, the Coastal Land Trust completed three other agricultural easement projects in December, including Poplar Grove Plantation near Wilmington, which is open to the public. The Coastal Land Trust’s farmland programs are supported by its members and by a grant from Walmart Foundation.