• By Jerry Dorsett
• Posted Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Farmland Protection Plan Adopted

Agriculture and forestry generated more than $17 million dollars in the Forsyth County economy last year. Farms and forests are integral to the beauty of our county and for it’s role in helping to maintain a healthy environment. These land uses bring visitors to the county, while encouraging employers and citizens to stay.

Local leaders have long recognized the fact that most citizens value farms and forests. Fortunately small farms are a growing enterprise in Forsyth County, but it is increasing difficult to make a living as a farmer. We are losing farms to competing land uses including development.

Farmers, foresters and local leaders with the input of citizens worked over the past year to develop a strategy for protecting and enhancing farms and forest in Forsyth County. This strategy, titled the Forsyth County Farmland Protection Plan, was adopted by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in August 2016 and is now available online here.