This historic family-owned property was recently used to raise grass-fed beef before being partially converted to corn and soybean production. The farm is partially fenced with high tensile perimeter fencing, has stream crossings, a large and modern farm shop building, and large hay barn. The land contains high concentrations of USDA prime soils, a rarity in the North Carolina mountains. Soils primarily consist of Arkaqua loam, Braddock loam, Dillard loam, Hemphill loam, Rosman loam, and Statler loam. These soils are well suited for a wide variety of crops including mixed vegetables, corn, soybeans, or pasture. In addition to leasing the farmland, there is the potential to lease a fully furnished, beautifully maintained 3 bdr, 2 ba farmhouse with picturesque front porch, paved driveway, root cellar, historic milking parlor which now serves as an outbuilding and walk-in cooler, large modern farm shop space, a 80 hp 2000 Massey Ferguson tractor, lawnmower, and two four-wheelers. The farm is within a mile of Tri-County Community College and Erlanger Hospital, within 3 miles of internationally known John C. Campell Folk School, and 4.5 miles from the center of downtown Murphy, NC.

The selected person or family should expect to build a long-term positive relationship with the landowners built on trust, respect, and consistent communication. The farmhouse is a cherished home place of the family and will require a tenant who will respect the property. If the producer is interested in the farmhouse, it will be covered in a separate lease agreement. The price for leasing the farmland and/or farmhouse and equipment will be discussed in person with the landowner. Applicants should email a written inquiry with attached resume to William Hamilton at whamilt@ncsu.edu (828-273-5663). Upon inquiring, William will follow up with a questionnaire.

The family is open to discussing a 5-year lease agreement and then seeing how it goes from there. There are other large adjacent tracts of valuable farmland that could also become available if the right person were found to lease the farm. The family would like the farmers to develop a sustainable farming enterprise that may consist of livestock and/or vegetable crops and/or row crops. Agritourism activities would be welcome. The farm is adjacent to Mcquire’s Mill Race Farm.

Family members developed the grazing infrastructure and ran 80+ head of Black Angus and Branvieh in addition to producing hay during 2006 – 2012. The property was then leased primarily for grazing and corn production from 2013 – 2018 and has more recently been used for soybean production. The farm is not under any conservation easement, but the landowners have installed extensive best management practices to improve and maintain water quality and wildlife habitat on the property. The family has made enormous efforts to protect the soil and water and wildlife on the property. This farm in Cherokee County is over 90% USDA Nationally Significant Prime Soils.

The family is dedicated to the preservation and continued management of this farm. They would like to see the farm continue to be productive and to serve as a model of what can be possible for the region. They would like to make this farm available to the right person or family to pursue their dreams of sustainable agriculture. Candidates must be interested in sustainable or regenerative agriculture, be community-minded, and hard working. You can also view a full description of the leasing opportunity at the NC FarmLink property description.