The Lee County Board of Commissioners made a landmark investment in the future of agriculture…
A version of this story appeared in the spring 2026 Confluence newsletter.
With increasing farmland loss across North Carolina, the work of TLC matters more than ever. In December 2025, TLC protected approximately 75 acres of working lands on the Ayers Family Farm in southern Lee County, marking the first TLC-purchased agricultural easement in the county.
According to the most recent USDA Agricultural Census for Lee County, farmland acreage declined by 11% from 2017 – 2022. During that same period, the total number of farms increased, showcasing that farm properties are being sold and subdivided. Coming from farming families, the Ayers knew early on that they wanted to protect their land for the long term.
Melissa Clunan, TLC’s Land Protection Manager, worked closely with Aaron and Hunter Ayers throughout the easement process and witnessed firsthand their commitment to farming.
“I love meeting the landowners that care about their land,” she said. “The Ayers are unique in that they are young farmers who know they want to farm their entire careers. They are committed to keeping this land exactly as it is.”
That dedication is rooted in a deep respect for Lee County’s agricultural history.
“The hard work put into this sandy land is evident, and we want to continue the legacy started by not only our ancestors, but all of Lee County farmers,” explained Hunter and Aaron Ayers.
The easement was funded by the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFP) with a generous 25% bargain sale from the Ayers. This is the first project that utilized Lee County’s Farmland Preservation and Protection Fund, which helped cover transaction costs associated with the sale. As funding sources become increasingly competitive, county support is more important than ever. Local investment in working lands strengthens applications for additional grants like ADFP, increasing a project’s likelihood of success.
“I think the timing of the county’s investment is really significant because it is proactive,” said Melissa. “The county commissioners and the community can see that growth is ramping up similarly to other counties in our region.”
Bounded on three sides by water, Lee County sits at the intersection of the North Carolina Piedmont, Coastal plain, and Sandhills regions. The Ayers property is a combination of crop fields and mixed hardwood and pine forest, and according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 80% of the soils in this easement are prime soil or soils of statewide importance, meaning that they are among the most productive for agriculture.
The Ayers grow a wide variety of produce, field corn, and annual hay, while also raising livestock. Unlike typical large-scale row crop farming, their small-scale produce operation feeds directly back into the community. By selling at their local farmers market and at Piggly Wiggly, the Ayers emphasize the importance of community-based agriculture.
“We strive to farm with tomorrow in mind,” The Ayers shared. “Some of these practices include cover crops, rotational grazing, crop rotation as well as maintaining water ways and proper forestry management.”
Much of TLC’s previous work in Lee County focused on protecting land along the Cape Fear and Deep Rivers, as well as helping to conserve the historic Endor Iron Furnace. This increase in county support will provide TLC and farmers with more resources to protect Lee County’s rural character and farms, at a time when the county is projected to lose up to 30% of its farmland to development pressures by 2040.
“The biggest advice we can give anyone looking to protect their land is to do it,” the Ayers concluded. “As a community we need to realize that working together to perpetuate woodlands and farmland is the only way to be successful. The value added to the tract for the next generation is immense.”
Thanks to the Ayers’ dedication and their continued support of TLC’s mission, Ayers Family Farm will be conserved forever.
