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27 <br /> For Good Hope Farm near Carpenter Village, Cary has leased 29 acres to Piedmont <br /> Conservation Council, a nonprofit that promotes conservation and sustainable <br /> communities, which then subleases 1/2- to 2-acre plots to fledgling farmers. About <br /> five farmers, including Saile, have signed on to lease land on the site in its first <br /> season. <br /> "I think it makes the farmers more independent," said Saile, wearing a large- <br /> brimmed straw hat while laying down pipe for the site's new irrigation system. "It <br /> gives them the opportunity to see the real world and what they're up against." <br /> Produce is expected to be available at Good Hope Farm late this summer. The <br /> farmers, including Saile, will be able to sell their products on site. <br /> "Being able to move product is an issue," Overbaugh said. "I mean you can follow <br /> email threads right now of farmers talking about, `How do I sell my product?' <br /> Having the ability to handle produce post-harvest and then be able to sell it right <br /> here on the property eliminates a lot of the headache." <br /> Local nonprofits would then work to match these farmers with larger plots of land <br /> in the Triangle to allow them to scale up their operations. Triangle Land <br /> Conservancy is working on 405 acres, known as Walnut Hill Nature Preserve, in <br /> eastern Wake County that could help with this transition. <br /> The group's vision is to have part of the nature preserve serve as a training space <br /> for farmers as well as allow new farmers to connect with experienced farmers who <br /> may be interested in selling their land to the next generation. Some nonprofits also <br /> look to make land more affordable by purchasing conservation easements, which <br /> lower the value of the land and protect it from being developed or subdivided. <br /> Triangle Land Conservancy is working with the owner of Bluebird Hill Farm, a <br /> 12.88-acre organic farm in Chatham County, to place a conservation easement on <br /> the property. <br /> Norma Burns, an architect-turned-farmer, has run Bluebird for 18 years, producing <br /> herbs, specialty vegetables, cut flowers, native plants, farm crafts and food <br /> products. But now she is looking to give away the property via an essay contest to a <br /> couple who will keep it as a farm. <br />