Griffin Farm in Martin County Permanently Protected Through Conservation Easement Partnership with Working Lands Trust
Martin County, NC — April 2025 — Members of the Griffin Family have secured the future of their cherished family farm in Martin County, North Carolina, through a permanent conservation easement in partnership with Working Lands Trust (WLT), NC’s only land trust dedicated solely to the conservation of farms and working forests. Their farm is a recognized North Carolina Century Farm, in Griffin Family ownership since 1846. This landmark agreement ensures that the family farm’s rich agricultural legacy will be preserved for generations to come, protecting vital farmland from development pressures and maintaining the region’s rural heritage.
The conservation easement, finalized this month, covers approximately 37 acres of prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance that has been in operation for decades. The agreement enables the family, its heirs, and successors to continue farming the land while permanently limiting non-agricultural development. This supports both the economic viability of the farm and the ecological health of the surrounding area.
“We are excited to officially be a part of the Farmland Preservation community,” said Richard Rogers, son and nephew of owners Jean Griffin Rogers and Mickie Griffin Nelson, who played a vital role in seeing the project to the finish line.
WLT worked closely with the family throughout the process to craft a conservation solution tailored to the farm’s needs. Funding for the easement was provided through the NC Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
“Protecting family farms is at the heart of our mission,” said Lisa Shealy, WLT Associate Director. “By securing this easement, we’re not only preserving farmland — we’re preserving a piece of Martin County’s history, economy, and culture.”
The conservation easement ensures that the farm’s valuable farmland continues to provide food and fiber for the region, supports local wildlife habitat, and strengthens the community’s agricultural economy. As growth pressures increase across eastern North Carolina, projects like this highlight the importance of proactive farmland protection.
Working Lands Trust and the Griffin Family invite the community to celebrate this milestone and recognize the enduring value of farmland conservation for future generations.
