A family farm in eastern Wake County has been permanently protected through an agricultural conservation easement. This move aims to preserve the 32-acre Johnson Farm’s pastures, woodlands, and water resources for ongoing agricultural use.
“Johnson Farm represents the kind of working landscape that we are dedicated to protecting,” stated Donald Mial, vice chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “Preserving this land helps ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from its agricultural, ecological and community value.”
The protection was achieved through a collaboration involving landowners Thurman and Jan Johnson, Triangle Land Conservancy, and the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District Farmland Preservation Program. Triangle Land Conservancy will be responsible for holding and monitoring the conservation easement to ensure compliance with its terms.
Wake County contributed $603,032.50 from its annual Deferred Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestlands Tax fund towards the project. The total cost is estimated at approximately $1.25 million, largely supported by a donation from the Johnson family.
The property includes open pasture, hardwood forest, a small sheep operation, a pond, and over 2,000 linear feet of stream. The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District has noted that about 96% of the farm’s soils are considered prime or of statewide importance.
“The partnership between Wake County and Triangle Land Conservancy has been instrumental to protecting family farms in one of the most rapidly growing areas of the State,” said Leigh Ann Hammerbacher, director of Land Protection and Stewardship East. “We are so thankful to farmers like the Johnsons who make these projects possible.”
This initiative aligns with Wake County’s goal to protect 1,000 acres of green space by 2029 under its Growth, Land Use and Environment Goal 3.
