PRESCRIBED BURN HELPS CREATE EARLY SUCCESSIONAL HABITAT
January 21, 2012“Run For The Money” is April 21
January 25, 2012
A 118-acre soy, corn and wheat production farm in central Union County – conserved on Dec. 30, 2011, by Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) – will be a farm forever.
With grants from the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, CLC was able to purchase an agricultural conservation easement on the 118-acre farm.
The conserved property provides the public with open space, saves active farmland, protects prime and statewide important soils, and keeps scenic and natural views of our landscape.
The farmland is owned by eighth-generation farmer Frank Howey. Howey farms approximately 10,000 acres of land which he either owns or leases in Union County and is one of the largest land owners in the county.
This 118-acre property is the first phase of a larger effort by CLC to conserve around 900 contiguous acres of Howey-owned productive farmland over the next several years. Howey is using the proceeds to purchase his grandmother’s original farm in Union County.
“We are happy to pass along our family’s farm heritage through conserving this property so that it will remain a farm forever,” said Howey. “I hope that other farmers will take time to learn about and understand the value of conservation easements and how they can benefit and meet our individual farming needs.”