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Moore Farm Joins Preservation Program
by Sarah Crawford

Jim Moore of Macon County, owner of Spring Ridge Creamery in Otto, celebrated the 35th anniversary of Earth Day as dignitaries from the Farm Land and Clean Water Conservation Projects announced the preservation of his farm lands neighboring the Little Tennessee River.

According to Brent Martin, Associate Director of the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (LTLT), a working farm conservation easement was acquired on the dairy in December, 2004 with support from the USDA Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) and the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF). This is the first FRPP project in WNC and holds great promise for the future of farm land in the region.

"What we wanted to preserve I think we'll be able to now," said Moore, "I want to express my thanks to everyone who made this happen. We appreciate it very much."

Bill Holman, Executive Director of CWMTF, said, "It's fitting that we take time here, in this part of the state, to think about what Earth Day means. What we are celebrating is an example of real conservation achievement, not just rhetoric but action."

The Little Tennessee River is one of the most environmentally diverse waterways in the state. It is home to half the native freshwater fish species in NC and one of the most diverse collections of mussel species in the state, including two endangered mussels and one threatened fish.

Holman explained how excellent the water quality is in the Little Tennessee because mussels depend on clean water.

Franklin Mayor Joe Collins and Senator John Snow attended the celebration. Holman said, "We wouldn't be here to celebrate without Senator Snow and all he does for us, our work depends on the General Assembly."

Thanks to the support of the NC General Assembly, CWMTF has been able to conserve 26 miles of river frontage in the Needmore Tract and 4.5 miles of the Macon County Greenway - nearly 4 miles of the Greenway via eight projects of LTLT. CWMTF has also given two grants (1997 and 2004) for streambank restoration totaling over $1 million for use in creating a cost-share program through the Macon Soil and Water Conservation District to help private landowners stabilize eroding streambanks and reforest streamside zones.

"Since 1999 nearly one-third of the river frontage along the Little Tennessee has been brought into some form of conservation," said Paul Carlson, Executive Director of LTLT.

Preserving the land not only secures the rural community but also preserves the culture and historical significance of the region. In 1761, on the bottomlands of what is now the Moore farm, a battle occurred between the English and the Native Americans. This land is now preserved and this site will remain a historical landmark. Each year FRPP and CWMTF releases $3 million to 14 different state conservation projects of which three are in Macon County.