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Durham farmland board outlines 2026 priorities, highlights $250,000 grant program
Summary
The Farmland Protection Advisory Board reported conservation easements, the Voluntary Agriculture District Program and a $250,000 Agricultural Economic Development Grant allocation for 2025; the board asked for an annual update and outlined 2026 goals including updating the Farmland Protection Plan and engaging the Unified Development Ordinance process.
Nicole Connelly, chair of Durham’s Farmland Protection Advisory Board, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on the board’s recent activity and priorities for 2026, noting the county’s use of conservation easements and programs to support farm economic health.
Connelly described three core efforts: the conservation easement program (purchase of development rights to permanently protect farmland and forestland), the Voluntary Agriculture District Program (recognition and education to sustain farming areas), and the Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program, which had a 2025 allocation of $250,000 administered by Durham Soil and Water Conservation as a cost‑share and support mechanism for farmers and new agricultural entrepreneurs.
She presented 2026 program goals including continuing support for the Voluntary Agriculture District and Conservation Easement programs, expanding agricultural education in county schools and adult programs, updating the 2009 Farmland Protection Plan via grant funding, ensuring agriculture is included in the Unified Development Ordinance use table, and investigating funding options tied to Present‑Use Value rollback payments.
The Board requested that the Farmland Protection Advisory Board provide an annual update going forward. No vote was required during the work session.
