Moore County was once defined by its rural farmland. Today, that landscape is rapidly changing, with subdivisions replacing much of the county’s rural character. Only 4.3 percent of parcels are 50 acres or more, and just 2 percent of the county’s land remains in farmland, according to Three Rivers Land Trust. Fewer than half of those farms exceed 50 acres, highlighting the growing fragmentation of working lands.
Amid this trend, one Moore County landowner has made a lasting commitment to conservation. In partnership with Three Rivers Land Trust, a 43-acre farm is now permanently conserved, ensuring it continues to support agriculture for generations to come. The farm produces sheep, goats, and chickens—an increasingly rare combination in North Carolina. Less than 4 percent of farms across the state raise sheep and goats, and that number is declining, according to Three Rivers Land Trust. Between 2017 and 2022, sheep and goat farms decreased by 25 percent, leaving approximately 1,500 remaining statewide. If this trend continues, fewer than 1,000 could remain by 2030.
“While all farmland loss is concerning, the rate at which sheep and goat farms are disappearing is especially alarming,” said Three Rivers Land Trust in a press release. “Farms overall declined by 8 percent during the same five-year period, underscoring the disproportionate loss within this sector. The conservation of this property helps ensure that at least one of these rare operations will not be lost to development.”
“Working farms are under threat in Moore County. We are thankful for landowners like Robert Spivey for being dedicated to conserving their land for generations to come,” said Emily Callicutt, director of conservation for Three Rivers Land Trust.
“North Carolina ranks second behind Texas in the loss of agricultural land to development. It is an honor to work with individuals and organizations to help conserve our working lands, and I only wish more landowners would consider placing their land into conservation,” said landowner Robert Spivey.
The loss of sheep and goat farms serves as a reminder that agricultural decline is not uniform. Some farmers face increasing development pressure and unique challenges that accelerate their disappearance. Conservation easements provide a critical tool to help relieve those pressures, keeping farmers on their land and maintaining the agricultural diversity that communities depend on, according to Three Rivers Land Trust.
This project was made possible thanks to the commitment of landowner Robert Spivey, support from the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, SC Johnson, and the supporters of Three Rivers Land Trust.
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Contributed article/photos.
