Farmland is an important part of Wake County's economy, food system and rural heritage. Yet as one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, Wake County continues to face increasing development pressure on agricultural land.
Over the past ten years, Wake County has lost more than 36,000 acres of farmland, an area larger than the combined size of Knightdale and Fuquay-Varina. According to the American Farmland Trust's Farms Under Threat 2040 report, Wake County is one of the three most threatened counties in North Carolina for farmland loss.
The Wake County Farmland Preservation Program works to protect working farms and support agriculture for future generations. Established in 2023, the program helps preserve farmland through voluntary conservation tools, partnerships and dedicated funding. It supports farmers, strengthens the local agricultural economy and helps ensure that farmland remains a vital part of Wake County’s future.
The goals of the program are:
- Promote agricultural values and the general welfare of Wake County
- Promote agriculture as an integral part of the county’s economy
- Increase identity and pride in the agricultural community and its way of life
- Encourage the economic and financial health of agriculture, horticulture and forestry
- Decrease the likelihood of legal disputes, such as nuisance actions between farm owners and their neighbors, and other negative impacts on properly managed farms
- Place permanent protections on agricultural land to preserve precious resources for future generations.
Wake County has adopted the Farmland Preservation Plan, which provides a 10-year vision for the Farmland Preservation Program.
Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan
The Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan serves as the County's 10-year strategy for protecting farmland, supporting agriculture and preserving the resources that sustain farming.
The plan provides a framework for balancing growth and development with the protection of working farms, natural resources and the rural character that remains an important part of Wake County's identity. It also helps position Wake County to pursue additional funding opportunities for farmland protection, agricultural economic development and conservation projects.
The plan supports several countywide initiatives, including PLANWake, the One Water Plan, the Food Security Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
How the Plan was developed
The Farmland Preservation Plan was developed through a collaborative process led by the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan Committee. It was created jointly by the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District and Equinox, a North Carolina-based consulting firm, and provides a roadmap for maintaining the economic, environmental and cultural value of agriculture while positioning farmland preservation as essential to a resilient and prosperous future.
The committee included representatives from the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, Agricultural Advisory Board, County planning and environmental staff, conservation organizations, municipalities and community partners. Throughout 2025, the County engaged farmers, landowners, agricultural organizations, conservation partners and residents to help shape the plan.
The planning process included:
- Committee meetings
- Public and landowner surveys
- Community workshops and presentations
- Plan development
Goals of the Plan
The Farmland Preservation Plan focuses on four key areas:
Highlight the existing conditions of farmland in Wake County.
- Analyze county and municipal land-use patterns and identify priority areas for long-term farmland and rural preservation.
- Identify and evaluate planning tools and funding sources that support farmland protection, rural character preservation, and agricultural economic strength.
- Provide policy recommendations that protect agricultural resources and support farmers in long-term agricultural planning.
- Educate the public on the social, environmental, and economic value of farmland and inspire future generations of agricultural producers.
- Foster a cohesive message with municipal partners and other stakeholders on the value of farmland preservation.
- Sustain and increase funding for farmland preservation.
The Farmland Preservation Plan is intended to be a living document that evolves as agricultural needs, growth patterns and community priorities change. Progress will be guided through ongoing partnerships, measurable actions and regular evaluation of preservation efforts.
The new Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance was approved on June 21, 2022. The new Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance repealed and replaced the “WAKE COUNTY VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT ORDINANCE,” which was adopted in 2002 and updated in 2016. There are now three programs under the new Farmland Preservation Ordinance to protect agricultural land from encroaching development:
- Voluntary Agricultural District Program –19,413acres enrolled
- Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District Program – 138 acres enrolled
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – 407 acres enrolled
The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board established an Agricultural Advisory Board to help advise the County Commissioners on issues affecting the local farm community. The advisory board also reviews and approves applications submitted to the program. If an application is denied, the applicant has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Board of Commissioners.
