Overview
Since TLC began in 1983, we have conserved land and water to help the Triangle region become an increasingly healthy and vibrant place to live where wild and working lands are protected, and everyone has access to open space, clean water, and local food. While TLC conserves land to provide four benefits to the entire Triangle community, some benefits extend only to those who already own land in the Triangle. Through the Good Ground Initiative (GGI), TLC strives to conserve more farmland by making it affordable to more people.
Challenges
The following challenges motivated TLC to pioneer the Good Ground Initiative:
North Carolina is one of the top agricultural states in the nation, yet due to increasingly fast growth, land conversion to other uses and development are major threats to the state’s farmland. Between 2001 and 2016 more than 731,600 acres of agricultural land were developed or compromised. North Carolina is currently on track to lose nearly 1.2 million acres of farmland to development by 2040.
The USDA Land Values 2022 Summary report shows an overall 8.4% increase in average NC farmland value to $5,150 per acre. In the Triangle, land values are most often $15,000 per acre at a minimum. These high land prices frequently prevent new & beginning producers from purchasing land to settle and grow on.
Many of the entities that provide training and education about agriculture, forest management, land stewardship and conservation do not have land available for purchase.
Given this context, TLC is committed to providing options to reverse disparities that have prevented many people from accessing the benefits of conservation intrinsically linked to land ownership.
Conservation is an excellent option for families to secure the future of their land and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their wild and working lands will always remain protected. Conservation can also bring significant financial benefit through grant funding, access to resources and expertise, and tax deductions. By default, these benefits have been exclusively available to existing landowners. TLC seeks to use training and mechanisms like “buy, protect, sell” make land ownership more accessible to everyone in the Triangle.
To our stakeholders…
Land seekers
If you are interested in learning more about buying conserved land, please fill out the land seeker interest form. This allows TLC to both get to know you and helps us prioritize projects that best meet the needs of our community.
Landowners
Consider conservation in your land transition and estate planning. The Good Ground Initiative may provide an option that secures the conservation value of your property while also supporting land ownership opportunities for more people.
Partners
We are constantly looking to improve our curriculum and expand our network. Please reach out to the Good Ground Manager if you and/or your organization would like to discuss potential areas to partner.
Funders
The development of GGI was funded through a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. Please contact the Philanthropy team if you would like to talk about ways you can support the program with donations or no-interest loans.
