Wake County has announced the permanent preservation of the Freeman Garcia Farm, a 28-acre family-owned property near Rolesville in northern Wake County. This move is part of the county’s Farmland Preservation Program and marks the sixth farm to be protected under this initiative.
The conservation easement placed on the Freeman Garcia Farm ensures that it will not be developed in the future. The land will remain privately owned and is not open to public access, but its use for food production, open space, and wildlife habitat is now guaranteed.
“In 2022, the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved the Farmland Preservation Ordinance, showing their commitment to protecting farmland,” said Donald Mial, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “With this farm, we have permanently protected a total of 344 acres. Preserving farmland is about more than just protecting open space; it’s about supporting our agricultural future and keeping the area’s character.”
The property consists mainly of woodland with hardwood forests and loblolly pines. It also features over 800 feet of stream and sensitive wetland areas. According to certification from the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District, 94% of its soils are classified as prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance.
Funding for this conservation effort comes from multiple sources. The total value of the easement exceeds $1.8 million. Wake County will contribute up to $500,000 from its dedicated farmland preservation fund while approximately $494,000 will come from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. The remainder is being provided by the Freeman Garcia Revocable Trust.
This action aligns with one of Wake County’s environmental goals: to protect 1,000 acres of green space—including parks, greenways, forests, and farmland—by 2029.
