The LandTrust for Central North Carolina has announced the conservation of the Barry E. McSwain Farm in Stanly County. This pastoral property is 183 acres and is near the Pee Dee River, with several tributaries to the river on the property.

Most of the property is used for agricultural production, with the main crop being cotton.

The McSwains came to LandTrust interested in putting an easement on their Stanly County farm earlier this year. This is the second easement the McSwains have donated to LandTrust, having also conserved a 330-acre property on the Rocky River in Stanly County in 2007.

An easement is a legally binding agreement made between a landowner and a conservation organization like LandTrust by which the landowner gives up the right to develop the property in perpetuity and receives related tax benefits.

“We are very thankful for the LandTrust’s staff, donors, and volunteers who help landowners like us conserve special places for generations to come,” the McSwains said.

In addition to productive farmland, the McSwains’ farm contains a thriving wetlands ecosystem that is critical habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and other aquatic fauna that thrive in North Carolinian lowlands. The property also builds off existing conservation work, as it adjoins a 169-acre farm that was conserved by LandTrust in 2006.

“We are excited that the McSwain family has worked with us to conserve yet another one of their farms in Stanly County,” said LandTrust Executive Director Travis Morehead. “Protecting farmland has always been a focus of the LandTrust as we seek to conserve the rural character of our region.”

To learn more about this project or how you can support the LandTrust for Central North Carolina, contact Crystal Cockman at 704-647-0302 or crystal@landtrustcnc.org