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 located near the Pee Dee River, with several tributaries to the river located on the property. The majority of the property is utilized for agricultural production, and the main item produced is cotton.
The McSwains came to The LandTrust interested in putting an easement on their Stanly County farm earlier this year. Showing their dedication to conservation, this is the second easement the McSwains have donated to The LandTrust, having also conserved another 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 The LandTrust for Central NC where the landowner gives up the right to commercially develop their property in perpetuity and they receive related tax benefits.
When asked about conserving their property, Barry McSwain said, “We are very thankful for The LandTrust’s staff, donors and volunteers who help landowners like us conserve special places for generations to come.”
In addition to farmland, the McSwains’ farm contains a wetlands ecosystem that is 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 The 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,” LandTrust Executive Director Travis Morehead said. “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@land trustcnc.org

The LandTrust for Central North Carolina works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve the most important natural, scenic, agricultural and historic places in a 10-county region of the central Piedmont.
Since 1995, The LandTrust has worked to offer options to landowners who want to save their lands for future generations to enjoy.
For more information about The LandTrust for Central North Carolina, contact The LandTrust at 704-647-0302 or crystal@landtrustcnc.org or visit www.landtrustcnc. org.