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Conservation easements were pur- chased on approximately 1,200 acres of farmland which were threatened by development. In addition to use of state farmland protection funds, the county also obtained financ- ing from the USDA Farmland Protection Pro- grain,- acquiring conseration ease- ments on an addi- tiona1200 acres of land. The county currently has 5,000 acres await- ing funding for inclusion in the farm- land preservation program. In Wake County, the town of Cary has proposed a $15 million appropriation to protect open space and farmland. The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is working with the town to protect the few remaining farms that fall within the city limits. Through donation of conservation easements, an additional 3,000 acres of farmland is being preserved. Var- ious land trusts across the state report long lists of property owners wishing to obtain easements. One land trust reports that over 130 landowners are waiting to obtain such status. FEATURE ARTICLE ..................................... ............................... owner for the right not to develop land. The owner retains deed to the property and can continue to use it to produce farm income. "Every year approximately 100,000 people come to live in North Carolina." How PDR Programs Work A commonly used tool for pro- tecting farmland from development in many states is the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) pro- gram. Through this program devel- opment rights are purchased from willing landowners and a conserva- tion easement is placed on the prop- erty. This tool is popular because of its voluntary nature and the fact it compensates the farmer or property Based on expe- rience in north- eastern states, PDR has helped to keep agriculture viable in many communities. By purchasing devel- opment rights on large blocks of property, PDR has preserved land needed for agri- cultural infrastruc- ture. In turn, necessary agribusinesses which supply seed, feed, fertilizer s farm equipme have been able locate or contii doing business farm sect( According to American Farml Trust (AFT), such agree- ments provide assurance that surrounding farmland will not be lost to development. AFT survey both Massachus and Vermont indi- cate farmers use PDR money to pay off existing debt, reinvest in new and upgraded equipment and start or add to retirement accounts. Satisfaction ratings among farmers are in the upper- ninetieth percentile accord- ing to AFT and the chief reason stated for entering into a PDR was to protect land for farming. State and Local Involvement The way the PDR program is operated in other areas of the coun- try is being fully explored by North Carolina officials. Some landowners will be hesitant about the idea of sell- ing property development rights, for fear of losing control of their land. Based on the way programs are administered across the country (and the fact that public funds are used) it is clear that farmer property rights are not the only consideration. In northern states, counties often create regional agricultural districts to pro- tect prime soil and rural heritage. Obviously, not all county farms will be located in areas considered prime locations. An old outbuilding, soon to be destroyed, is all that remains of this farm on the outskirts ofApex, NC. As the sign proclaims, a new shopping center will be built on acres of property being cleared behind the wooden structure. According to AFT, the first step in starting a PDR program is the establishment of agriculture districts. Landowners must join the agricul- ture district before being able to sell development rights. This ensures that the state /county concentrates efforts on protecting large contigu- 43