From the Desk of the County Manager, March 20, 2026

25 Years of Farmland Preservation in Durham County

As Durham County reflects on the progress we have made together, this year brings a milestone that speaks to our values as a community. In 2026, we celebrate 25 years of Durham County’s Farmland Protection, a commitment that has helped shape our landscape, strengthen our local food system and protect the rural heritage that remains an essential part of Durham’s identity through Durham County’s Open Space and Farmland Protection. 2001 marks the county’s first farmland easement.

Farmland protection is a significant component of our broader land conservation work, representing about 60% of the acreage we protect through both easements and County ownership.

For a quarter century, Durham County has worked alongside landowners and partners to ensure that our agricultural lands remain protected for future generations. Since the first farmland conservation easement was completed in 2001, we have permanently preserved 20 farms and 2,491 acres across the county. These lands represent:

• Working family farms that support local food production;
• Forestland and wildlife habitat that sustain biodiversity;
• Critical water resources that protect drinking water quality; and
• Scenic rural landscapes that define the character of northern and eastern Durham.

This work has always been grounded in partnership. Durham County typically contributes about 25% of each easement’s value, while federal, state and nonprofit partners--along with generous landowners--provide the remaining 75%. This shared investment model has allowed us to protect land that might otherwise have been lost to development pressures.

“It is a privilege and an honor to work with landowners whose commitment to protect their land will benefit our community for generations. These projects can take years, and I’m sincerely grateful for landowners’ willingness, generosity and patience through the process,” says Celeste Burns, Open Space/Real Estate Manager for Durham County.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

One of the most meaningful achievements of this anniversary year is the protection of Clara Glenn’s 40‑acre farm, which closed in February 2026. Mrs. Glenn signed the conservation easement just eight days after her 101st birthday--a moment that reflects the deep generational commitment behind so many of Durham’s protected farms.

Her family’s decision ensures that the land they have cared for will remain intact and productive for generations to come. Stories like this remind us that farmland preservation is a legacy built by families who see their land as part of Durham’s future.

Continuing a Strong Legacy of Stewardship

Durham County’s farmland preservation program remains active and forward‑looking. With six additional easements currently underway, this represents 212 more acres soon to be permanently protected. These projects highlight the diversity of Durham’s agricultural community:

• Hay producers who manage hundreds of acres each season;
• Multigenerational farm families honoring the work of parents and grandparents;
• Landowners committed to wildlife habitat and open‑space conservation; and
• Producers who want their land to remain viable farmland for decades to come.

Each of these landowners shares a common vision: ensuring that their land continues to serve the community long after their own stewardship ends.

Why Farmland Preservation Matters

As Durham continues to grow, protecting farmland becomes increasingly important. Preserved farmland strengthens our resilience and supports essential functions, such as local food production, clean water and healthy ecosystems and rural landscapes that balance our urban landscapes.

These preserved lands are part of what makes Durham a vibrant, balanced and sustainable place to live.

A Community Effort

I express my deep appreciation to the landowners who have chosen to preserve their farms, to our federal and state partners who have invested in this work, and to the many community members who continue to champion conservation across Durham County. Your commitment has made this 25‑year milestone possible. I am equally thankful to the Durham Board of County Commissioners, who will recognize this achievement at their upcoming Regular Session Meeting on March 23.

Durham County is proud of the progress we have made. As we celebrate this anniversary, we reaffirm our dedication to protecting farmland, supporting our agricultural community and preserving the landscapes that make Durham such a special place where citizens work, live and play.

Until next week,

 

Claudia Hager

Durham County Manager