The Farmland Preservation Manageris a program management position responsible for leading and administering WakeCounty's Farmland Preservation Program. The position provides strategic,operational, fiscal, and regulatory oversight of conservation easementacquisition, Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) and Enhanced VAD (EVAD)programs, and long-term agricultural land protection initiatives.
The Farmland Preservation Manager has direct fiscaloversight of the Farmland Preservation Fund within the County's budget,including revenues generated through Present-Use Value (PUV) roll back taxes,and ensures funds are accurately tracked, allocated, and expended in compliancewith County policy, grant requirements, and program objectives. The positionworks closely with the County Manager's Office to prepare Board ofCommissioners agenda items, funding actions, and policy materials.
The Farmland Preservation Managerserves as the County's primary liaison to the North Carolina Department ofAgriculture and Consumer Services - Agricultural Development & FarmlandPreservation Trust Fund (NCADFP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture -Natural Resources Conservation Service - Agricultural Conservation EasementProgram(USDA-NRCS ACEP), leads competitive state and federal grant developmentand administration, and oversees contracts and agreements with externalpartners.
The position provides criticaloversight of all conservation easement transactions, coordinating with externallegal counsel, surveyors, appraisers, environmental assessment consultants, andbaseline report providers to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely easementclosings. The role ensures full compliance with applicable state and federallaws, grant agreements, and County policies, and coordinates monitoring andenforcement actions with the County Attorney's Office.
The Farmland Preservation Manager also supervises program staff,analyzes program performance and funding trends, represents the program atlocal, state, and national levels, and supports departmental leadership throughstrategic initiatives and acting leadership duties as assigned.