Item:
Title
Approve Acquisition of Three Agricultural Conservation Easements: Matthew & Brittany Eagle for 64.5 acres, Penny Family for 201 acres, and William H. Sparrow, Sr. for 47 acres
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 14, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve acquiring three agricultural conservation easements from Matthew and Brittany Eagle, the Penny Family, and William H. Sparrow Sr.; to authorize using existing open space capital project funds for up to 50% of the easement costs; and to authorize the Manager to execute options to purchase and funding agreements if funds are awarded.
Eagle Acres – 65 acres: Beef cattle farm and managed pine forest, a portion of 1317 Thompson Road (REID 160294)
Penny Family Farm – 201 acres: Beef cattle farm, a portion of 880 Johnson Mill Road (REID 190202), 9021 Roxboro Road (REID 190199), and REID 19020
Sparrow Farm Phase 2 – 47 acres: Sheep farm and managed pine forest at 3903 Red Mill Road (REID 169351); expands protection of the Sparrow Family Farm
Protecting these properties will preserve agricultural, scenic, wildlife, and water-quality resources. All three properties are eligible for USDA-NRCS (United States Department of Agricultural- Natural Resource Conservation Service) Agricultural Lands Easement (ALE) funds, which would pay 50% of the easement value if funding is granted. The Farmland Protection Advisory Board has considered and supports the protection of these three farms.
To proceed, the County must secure signed real estate options confirming landowner and County intent for the anticipated October 2026 ACEP-ALE application deadline. The total cost for all three easement projects is estimated at $3.5 million. At this time the County’s open space and farmland preservation capital project account has sufficient funds to cover its 50% share, so no additional funding is required. If ALE funds are awarded, final budgets will be presented to the Board for approval...
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