Report on North Carolina’s Farmland Preservation Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Grant Funding for Agricultural Preservation Announced

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has announced a grant funding opportunity through the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The initiative invites county governments and conservation nonprofit organizations to apply for funding dedicated to farmland preservation projects. This program directly addresses the increasing demand for measures to protect agricultural land from development.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated, “The demand for farmland preservation is at an all-time high. Agricultural conservation easements are a great opportunity for farmers and landowners to secure the future of their farms and keep them in production for generations to come.”

Program Objectives and Contribution to Sustainable Development

The grants are designated for agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests. The core objectives of the program are to:

• Support public-private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agriculture, directly contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Support horticultural and forestland activities, which aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land) by protecting terrestrial ecosystems.
• Facilitate the development of comprehensive agricultural plans, a key component of achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Aid in the creation of Agricultural Growth Zones to enhance local investments in farmland preservation, fostering economic resilience under SDG 8.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative makes significant contributions to several key Sustainable Development Goals through its focus on long-term environmental and economic stability.

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   By preserving farmland and keeping it in production, the program ensures long-term food security and promotes sustainable agricultural practices necessary to feed future generations.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   The grants directly support the protection of terrestrial ecosystems by funding conservation easements on farms and forests, preventing land degradation and biodiversity loss associated with land-use change.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   Preserving agricultural land is crucial for managing urban sprawl and ensuring sustainable land use. This helps maintain green belts and supports local food systems, making communities more resilient and sustainable.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   The initiative supports the economic viability of farms, securing agricultural jobs and promoting sustained economic growth in rural communities through the promotion of profitable and sustainable farming.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   The program’s structure requires collaboration between state government, county governments, non-profit land trusts, and private landowners, exemplifying the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving the SDGs.

Application and Procedural Details

Landowners interested in preserving their property must collaborate with eligible county governments or conservation land trusts to apply for the grant funds. If an application requesting funds for the conservation easement purchase value is successful, landowners will be compensated for the sale of their farm’s development rights.

Key Deadlines

• Intent to Apply Submission: August 29
• Final Application Closure: December 22, 2025

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article directly addresses SDG 2 by focusing on initiatives to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. The North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund aims to “secure the future of their farms and keep them in production for generations to come.” This commitment to preserving “working farms” and supporting “profitable and sustainable agriculture” is central to achieving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The program’s scope extends beyond farms to include the preservation of forests. The article states that grants are available for “agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests” and to support “horticultural and forestland activities.” This directly contributes to the protection and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, a core objective of SDG 15.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article touches upon sustainable land-use planning, which is a key component of SDG 11. The grants support the development of “agricultural plans” and the creation of “Agricultural Growth Zones.” These tools are used for regional planning to manage development, prevent urban sprawl onto productive land, and maintain a balance between rural and developed areas, thus fostering sustainable communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…

     The article’s central theme is the preservation of farmland to “keep them in production for generations to come” through “agricultural conservation easements.” The fund explicitly supports programs that “promote profitable and sustainable agriculture,” which directly aligns with implementing sustainable food production systems.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests…

     The grant funding is explicitly for “agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests” and supports “forestland activities.” This initiative is a direct mechanism for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems as mentioned in the target.

   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

     By preventing the conversion of productive farmland and forests to other uses through “conservation easements,” the program helps combat a form of land degradation. Preserving “working farms” ensures the land remains productive and is not degraded, contributing to the goal of land degradation neutrality.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

     The program strengthens regional development planning by empowering “county governments” to apply for funds to “develop agricultural plans” and create “Agricultural Growth Zones.” This structured approach, managed at the state level, enhances local and regional planning to protect rural agricultural lands from unplanned expansion.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 2 (Target 2.4):

   • Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.

     Progress can be measured by the total acreage of farmland placed under “agricultural conservation easements” through this grant program. The article implies this measurement by focusing on preserving “farmland” and supporting “sustainable agriculture.” The number of farms and the total area secured would be a direct indicator.

2. For SDG 15 (Targets 15.1 & 15.3):

   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

     The amount of “forestland” preserved through the grant program is a direct measure of progress. The article’s mention of grants for “conservation easements on… forests” and support for “forestland activities” implies that tracking the area of protected forest is a key outcome.

   • Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.

     The area of farmland and forestland preserved from development can be used as a proxy indicator. By preventing the conversion of this productive land, the program directly contributes to reducing the increase in degraded land within the state or county.

3. For SDG 11 (Target 11.a):

   • Implied Indicator: Number of local governments (counties) that have developed and implemented agricultural preservation plans.

     The article states that grants are available to “develop agricultural plans” and create “Agricultural Growth Zones.” An effective way to measure progress towards this target would be to count the number of “county governments” that successfully apply for these grants and establish such plans and zones.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wlos.com