Spruill Conservation Farm

Supporting sustainable agriculture, education, and research at a working family farm on the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina

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CONSERVING THE LEGACY & LEARNINGS OF THE SPRUILL HOME PLACE FARM

Since 1914, the Spruill Family has cherished this land, where generations have cultivated diverse crops and fostered strong community ties. The property serves as an outdoor classroom, where visitors can reconnect with nature, explore ecological wonders, and learn about the region's cultural history. From the scent of peanuts in harvest to the joy of wading in the waters of the Albemarle Sound, Unique Places to Save is committed to preserving these experiences for future generations.

Our vision extends beyond conservation; this farm is an educational and recreational space for public engagement with nature. We support the restoration of native habitats, enhancing restoring native habitats, enhancing water quality, and creating a welcoming environment for learning. Through this conservation project, we hope to inspire environmental stewardship and provide local employment opportunities, ensuring the magic of the Spruill Home Place Farm endures.

120

Total Number of Acres Protected

75

Acres of Working Farmland

41

Acres of Forest & Forested Wetlands

1,500

Shoreline Feet on Albemarle Sound

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CONSERVE

Spruill Farm Home Place preserves over 41 acres of restored hardwood and bottomland forests, cypress gum swamp wetlands, and streams. The project also preserves 75 acres of sustainable managed farmland, producing locally-grown crops to feed local communities. With approximately 1,500 linear feet along the southern shore of the Albemarle Sound–the largest freshwater sound in the world–this property ensures perpetual protection of this valuable waterfront feature from development and subdivision.

Unique Places to Save partnered with the Spruill Family and The Peanut Factory, Inc. to place a conservation easement on this unique property. This project will be protected forever as over 120 acres of a natural waterfront, wetlands, forest, and farmland areas.

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Conserved Land

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Farmland

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Waterfront

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Wetlands

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HABITAT

The Spruill Farm Home Place project features a dynamic landscape of agricultural fields, forested areas, cypress gum swamp wetlands, and ecosystems all influenced by the Albemarle Sound. These include saltwater aquatics, freshwater aquatics, and riparian forests are home to many native species including Bald Eagles, Red Wolves, Black Bears, and River Otters. 

Additionally, the project is also home to bottomland forest with species such as Sweetgum, Water Oak, and River Birch. The diverse ecosystem this property boasts supports a rich array of wildlife, including federally listed species such as the Shortnose Sturgeon and Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

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Saltwater Aquatics

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Freshwater Aquatics

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Riparian Forests

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WORKING

With 75 acres of productive farmland, the Spruill Farm Home Place balances conservation with sustainable agriculture. Owned by the Spruill Family since 1914, the farm has been a hub of productivity, growing crops such as peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco. Over time, additional efforts included planting tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, pecans, and asparagus, along with maintaining a pear orchard and fishing operation along the Albemarle Sound. 

The project integrates traditional agricultural activities, including cultivating corn, soybeans, and a heritage farm with vegetables, pecans, figs, and a century-old Scuppernong grapevine. Visitors can explore the farm’s rich history through preserved landmarks like The Packhouse, which holds original farming equipment, a one-room schoolhouse, and former tenant farmer homes.

Today, the farm continues to grow corn, soybeans, and other vegetables while implementing sustainable practices designed to conserve soil and water, maintain soil and water quality, and avoid erosion, soil contamination, and water pollution. These methods help preserve the rich soils and protect the surrounding ecosystems, including the Albemarle Sound and adjacent cypress-gum swamps.

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Working Farmland

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Agritourism

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Historic Farmland

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ACCESS

If you are interested in visiting the property, landowner permission is required. The property is not open to the general public.

Spanning more than 1,500 linear feet along the southern shore of Albemarle Sound, the project permits public access to the largest freshwater sound in the world. Visitors are able to engage in a variety of recreational and educational activities, like the multiple walking trails located on the property.

All the trails on the property are named in honor after those who have worked and cared for the land over generations. Rentable campsites on Hipcamp allow overnight stays, with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts welcomed free of charge. Paddling and kayaking opportunities along the sound offer an immersive experience with the area’s rich aquatic ecosystem.

The farm also serves as an educational resource, hosting school tours and providing hands-on learning opportunities in conservation and agriculture. Community events, including the annual Fig Festival, highlight the importance of conservation efforts while celebrating the farm’s agricultural history and its ongoing role in preserving the natural environment.

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Community Events

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School Tours

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Rentable Camp Sites

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Kayak/Canoe Access

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Project Gallery

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spruill farm mapThe Spruill Farm Home Place

The Spruill Farm Home Place conservation project is focused on the conservation and educational use of a 120-acre family-owned property located on the south shore of Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. The land has been in the Spruill family since 1914 and is recognized for its agricultural history, cultural significance, and ecological diversity. The project ensures the continual preservation of the land and offers public access for educational purposes centered on natural and cultural history.

Historical Background
The property, known as the Spruill 'Home Place,' was purchased by Ed and Martha Spruill in 1914, who began a robust farming operation. Over the decades, they cultivated a variety of crops, including peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco, while also incorporating livestock and additional crops for sustenance. The farm became a center for agricultural activity and family gatherings, with structures like the original farmhouse and a one-room schoolhouse contributing to its historical significance. Although some original buildings have been lost, other structures, such as a packhouse and family cotton gin, remain, reflecting a century of agricultural practice.

The farm has supported numerous tenant farmers and has served as a site for fishing operations during the 1920s. Artifacts found along the shore, such as potsherds and tomahawk points, indicate a pre-European settlement by Algonquin tribes. The farm's boundaries encompass diverse ecosystems, including cypress-gum swamps and ditches that support a wide range of wildlife.

Conservation Goals
The primary objective of the conservation project is to support the restoration and protection of the land’s natural habitats, while enhancing educational opportunities for visitors. Key goals include:

  1. Habitat Restoration: Efforts are being made to restore pre-agricultural native habitats and to enhance the ecological diversity of the area.
  2. Public Access: The project aims to provide safe and welcoming access to the public (permission required), allowing for immersive educational experiences in nature.
  3. Water Quality Improvement: Initiatives will focus on enhancing water quality across the site and managing resources sustainably.
  4. Cultural and Natural History Education: Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the ecology of the region and the agricultural practices that have shaped its history.
  5. Local Employment: The project is intended to create opportunities for local residents, promoting economic sustainability alongside conservation.
Future Plans
To secure the land's preservation, the Spruill family donated the property to Unique Places to Save, which holds a conservation easement to protect its resources and facilitate educational usage. The project emphasizes long-term stewardship of the land while fostering a renewed connection between the community and the natural world.

Overall, the Spruill Farm Home Place conservation project serves as a model for integrating agriculture, conservation, and education, ensuring that future generations can appreciate and learn from this historically rich and ecologically diverse land.
Project Partners
  • The Spruill Family
  • The Peanut Factory, Inc

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the project partners and their funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by them or their funding sources. 

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HOW CONSERVATION IS SHAPING OUR WORLD

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