Wake’s Food Policy Council: Farmland Preservation

CAFN Farmland Preservation Circle

The Capital Area Food Network (CAFN) has a monthly Farmland Preservation Circle dedicated to supporting farm viability through partnerships with farmers and the community. One of our goals is to collaborate with Wake County municipalities to establish Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). These agreements aim to recognize Wake County Soil and Water program offerings and prevent development encroachment on farmland, ensuring the preservation of agricultural lands within our county and municipalities.

Currently, we have initiated conversations with the Town of Apex, Wake Forest, and Knightdale. One strategy the Farmland Preservation Circle is planning to use is to ask Wake County Board of Commissioners not to expand Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Expanding ETJs would include properties under the Town’s land use ordinances, increasing the risk of farmland being developed.

In our last Farmland Preservation Circle meeting on July 24 th , we had Loren Hendrickson from Soil and Water Conservation to join as a guest speaker to highlight Wake County Cost of Community Services Study. This study examines the costs of public services compared to the revenue earned from different types of land use. You can read more about it here: Study finds agricultural land provides a net benefit to Wake County | Wake County Government.

If you have any insights or advice, please feel free to reach out and help support our local initiatives in Wake County!