Land Trust for the Little Tennessee protects Slagle Farm

LITTLE TENNESSEE VALLEY: THE SLAGLE FARM

The Little Tennessee River is frequently named as one of highest protection priorities of all waterways in the state. Data shows that it holds not only some of the states greatest diversity of aquatic species, but also an incredible number of species, including state and federally listed animals. It is also teeming with Native American history, as the bottomlands were once ancient Cherokee towns.

Recently, LTLT completed a 56-acre working farm Conservation Agreement with private landowners of Slagle Farm with funding from N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the NRCS Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. The tract contains Cartoogechaye Creek, the water source of the Town of Franklin and the second largest tributary of the Little Tennessee River

Kathy and Danny Tinsley, the owners of the Slagle Farm are installing wells and fencing to keep cattle out of the streams and improve water quality. They are continuing their familys multi-generation tradition of farming on the land by providing wool, flower arrangements and fresh food to the local community.

"The creek is life-giving," said Kathy Tinsley, who grew up on Slagle Farm. She recalls her fathers stories of hauling the water to the house for his familys use during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. "If all the farms along the river were protected, it would be quite a coup," she said.

Several neighboring landowners are awaiting the reinstatement of state funds for land and water conservation so that they can complete conservation projects along the Cartoogechaye with LTLT.

In addition to the Little Tennessee valley, the Action Plan spotlights several other community types that LTLT works to protect or restore, including the dry pine and pine/oak woodlands, early successional habitats and oak forests.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• farmland
• water quality
• conservation
• land trust
• Wildlife Action Plan
• Franklin
• North Carolina
• philanthropy