In the last nine years, Wake County lost 22,964 acres of farm and forest land – almost 20% of the remaining agriculture land and open space. At the county’s current growth rate, all unprotected land will be developed in the next 25 to 50 years. The annual “Keeping the Farm” Workshop is designed to curb that loss and, for the first time since 2020, the free event will be hosted in-person this year.

“We are grateful that we have been able to offer this workshop for 18 years,” said Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. “With it being in-person, we’re hopeful that more farmers will want to get together and take advantage of all the experts and resources that we are making available this year. Most people think of us being the busy state capital of Raleigh, but there are nearly 700 farms and more than 77,000 acres of farmland in Wake County. Protecting them is a priority for us.”

This year's workshop is on Wednesday, March 22, from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive, in Raleigh.

Topics to be covered include:

• Property Tax & Land Value
  Braxton Williford and Chuck Willoughby, from Wake County’s Tax Administration, will update farm and forest landowners on the reappraisal process and share information on qualifications and requirements of land in its current use as agriculture, horticulture or forestry.
• Inheriting, Passing Down or Selling Land
  Tammy Brunner, the Wake County Register of Deeds, will provide important insight on the process landowners need to take when inheriting property or selling land. She will also share the services that are offered by her office, featuring a new online service available to busy landowners.
• Growth Plans
  Terry Nolan from the Wake County Planning Department will update attendees on PlanWake, the County’s comprehensive growth plan, charting the course for development and land preservation for the next 10 years. She’ll review what’s been accomplished to date and what’s to come.
• Local Farmer Insights
  Michelle Pace from Pace Farms will give a spotlight on how a locally-owned family farm has diversified its operations. She will talk about the challenges she has faced and offer guidance to other farmers on how to be a more sustainable family farm in the future.
• Farm Security and Wildlife Issues
  Wildlife Officer Tyler Wood will share helpful tips on trespass laws, illegal hunting, and guidance on wildlife problems, including what to do if wildlife is causing property damage. He’ll also touch on hunting and trapping seasons and the services that NC Wildlife Resources Commission offers.
• Estate and Asset Protection Planning
  Attorney Jason Page will educate the attendees on issues around estate planning, creditors, income and transfer taxes. He will also help participants learn how to mitigate risk with re-marriage protections, estate planning, capital and estate taxes.
• Farmland Preservation
  Farmland Preservation Coordinator Loren Hendrickson will introduce the new Farmland Preservation program and will explain how to qualify and apply. Leigh Ann Hammerbacher from Triangle Land Conservancy will help explain conservation easements and how they preserve family farms forever.
   

For those who can’t attend, there will be an online option  streamed LIVE  on Wake County’s YouTube channel and Twitter, Facebook pages.