Commission approves two farmland easements that will add about 185 acres to protected lands

The Berkeley County Commission approved staff and Farmland Protection Board requests to complete easement acquisitions on two properties totaling about 185 acres.

Risa, executive director of the Farmland Protection Board, told commissioners one of the properties is in Inwood off Hatchery Road and the other is off Ardenovo; the two additions would increase permanently protected farmland in the county to about 9,287 acres. One of the properties is a joint project with Jefferson County and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and federal funding will extend the timing on that acquisition.

Commissioner [name on the record] moved to allow the Farmland Protection Board to proceed with completion of the two selected easements; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Risa thanked the commission and commissioners praised the board’s work.

Staff indicated a third property remains in process and will return to the commission when ready. The easements are permanent conservation measures intended to preserve agricultural use.