Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors: Beth Pugh Farrell

Name: Beth Pugh Farrell

Age: 47

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: www.bethpughfarrell.com

Occupation & employer: Agricultural Programs Development Coordinator (NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and Owner/Operator Pack House Farm 

Years lived in the area: 29

1. Why are you running for the position of Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor? In your answer, please explain your understanding of the role and why it is important.

Four years ago Wake County elected me to be a Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, and I have had the honor of serving as Board Chair for the last two years. For years, I saw how misrepresented the work of the District was, especially in a large urban county every election cycle. In 2022, I decided that if good, qualified candidates don’t run for office, our community suffers. 

I know first-hand how the work of Conservation Districts matters to farmers, landowners and youth. I saw how the Alleghany Soil and Water Conservation District helped my family implement conservation practices and provided me with numerous educational opportunities. As a farmer, I have worked with Soil and Water to obtain technical assistance that will help us better manage limited water resources.

From growing up on my grandparents’ farms in Piney Creek, NC, to majoring in Animal Science at NC State, to serving as an Agricultural Programs Development Coordinator at the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, I have had opportunities to be actively engaged in agriculture throughout my professional and personal life. Encouraging the next generation of leaders is important to me, and I remain active with the NC 4-H and NC FFA programs. Additionally, I am owner/operator of Pack House Farm in Apex. My name will appear on your ballot again this year because I know my experiences and knowledge will help strengthen conservation efforts across Wake County’s diverse landscape.

Wake County has both robust agricultural production and growing urban areas. This presents a unique opportunity to be a leader in both rural and urban conservation efforts and build resiliency in our communities. My belief in the work of Conservation Districts inspired me to seek this office and serve our community. You can learn more about my background and credentials by visiting my website at www.bethpughfarrell.com. 

2. What are the three most pressing issues facing the Conservation District and Board of Supervisors? How do you plan to address these issues? Please be specific.

It may surprise many to learn that Wake County still has 664 active farms and over 62,000 acres of farm and forest land remaining given the rapid growth the county has experienced. As a result of this development, many multi-generational farms are having to manage runoff and erosion issues caused by upstream development. Simply put, concrete, asphalt, rooftops and other impervious surfaces don’t absorb rainfall – meaning water is often reaching farms at a higher volume and faster rate than ever before. While many of the existing state funded programs implemented and managed by the District are focused on agricultural lands, the need for assistance is outpacing available funding. Another limitation on existing funds is that they prioritize prime farmland. With the rapid loss of farmland in Wake County and statewide, it is time to reevaluate the current programs and pursue including benefits to soil health as part of the scope. Much of the highly productive prime farmland county has been lost to development, we need to have tools to enhance production and profitability opportunities for all producers.

There are currently very limited funds available statewide to support the Community Conservation Assistance Program. Established in 2006, this is the state funding available to Districts to address resource concerns from other landowners in their area. Currently there is only $400,000 available statewide. Additional financial commitment is needed to ensure that all residents in Wake County are able to address natural resource concerns on their property. We have communities that continue to be impacted by stormwater as a result of increased development. The Department of Environmental Quality recently published the NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint. Across the state, Districts like the Wake District, have the technical expertise to address these concerns – but will need resources to make it happen. Ensuring that Districts are seen as the premier partner to address natural resource concerns will take a coordinated, statewide effort. Over the last four years, I have worked to build relationships with Districts across our state that will be necessary to advocate for additional funding to address landowner needs.

Farmland preservation is also a key concern facing the District, but there is a separate question addressing this topic later in the questionnaire. 

A major concern facing the District is in regards to where it will physically be located in the not too distant future as a result of the Office Park Complex project recently approved by the Wake County Board of Commissioners. In Phase 1, this $214 million project will tear down the current Agricultural Services Building and Commons Building (which are in very good shape and some offices remodeled in the last several years) to make way for a new Wake County Government Complex. The Agricultural Services Building is where the Wake Soil and Water District, the Wake County Extension Center, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service offices are located. Since at least the 1980s, these groups have been co-located on Carya Drive to allow easy, centralized access for our producers. Additionally, Ag Carolina Farm Credit, an important lending partner to farmers, has a branch located just across Poole Road. Efficiency in agriculture increases opportunities for profitability – and that includes a farmer’s time. The current location provides nearly a one-stop-shop for farmers to access vital information and resources. Additionally, the Commons Building hosts many farmer and Extension events each year. 

In the months of planning for Phase I of this project, no one from the Wake County Manager’s Office has presented this information to the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Details and information on this project were not made public until afternoon on a Friday for the Board of Commissioner’s meeting the following Monday. I worked to raise awareness with the public and Board of Commissioners. Thanks to efforts of Commissioner Vickie Adamson, we worked together for a formal presentation from Facilities, Design, and Construction at an upcoming District meeting. All District meetings are open to the public, and I invite anyone interested in this topic to attend.

If the District and USDA offices are moved across Wake County, that would create a barrier to farmers, and impact landowner ability to interact with the Soil & Water District. Additionally, there will be lost staff time due to physically packing offices and all documents for the District – reducing staff’s ability to address core functions for a period of time. While the project isn’t projected to start until late 2027, I am extremely concerned that this will be extremely disruptive for those who work with the District.

While Phase II (date and amount to be determined), Wake County has not identified a location for Wake Soil and Water and the USDA offices to be located. Based on conversations with County Staff, a site in Cary has been identified to temporarily location Wake County Extension Center. 

I am also very concerned about where groups that utilize the Commons Building for meetings and events will be able to find affordable meeting space. I will continue to advocate for transparency with this process so all impacted stakeholders are aware of the situation and have an opportunity to make their voices heard. This is an issue that hasn’t made the news, but one of my key responsibilities as a Supervisor is to advocate for the people who utilize Wake Soil and Water Conservation District programs.

3. As the Triangle continues to grow, what steps does the region need to take to ensure adequate water supply going forward? What role should the Board of Supervisors play in long-term water supply and conservation planning?

The last drinking-water reservoir brought online in North Carolina was the Randleman Reservoir in 2004 to serve the Piedmont Triad region. Our state has experienced a significant population increase since that time. I get very concerned when I hear about Fuquay-Varina potentially running out of water by 2030 and seeking interbasin transfer authority. We are currently in a drought that started last fall. With some municipalities mandating water restrictions this summer, and everyone able to see low water levels in lakes, ponds, and rivers, this is the time to have conversations to ensure Wake County and our municipalities have a long-range plan for water resources.

We can no longer look at city or county lines when thinking about water resources. With increased population, water availability will remain an issue. The Wake One Water Plan is a good starting point, but it’s time to develop a regional or statewide One Water approach. Water is essential for all life. My first international travel was to India. The villages we visited were living in places where wells drilled in the 1980s were going dry. Women were carrying polluted water from rivers to their homes in containers knowing they would have to boil it before it could be used. Many of these women were walking several miles a day to secure water for their families. This made a lasting impact on just how much we take water for granted.

As a District, and as Districts statewide, we can evaluate what best management practices (BMPs) could be utilized at a larger scale to conserve water. I am very proud that the Wake District led efforts to get approval for strawberry row covers to be eligible for cost-share funds. These help strawberry producers be able to provide frost protection to tender plants without using water to create an insulation barrier. The Ag Water Assistance Program has a long history of helping farmers implement practices to reduce water use on farms and to protect water quality through efforts like stream exclusion to keep livestock out of surface water while still ensuring animals have access to fresh water. There is also an opportunity to help build water resilience on farms without diverting from drinking water sources by increasing farm pond water storage capacity. This would help Districts build resiliency during times of too much water by capturing it and reducing downstream impacts, and in times of drought farmers would have access to additional water for irrigation. 

4. This year’s drought heavily affected farmers. What should the Board of Supervisors do to support farmers in recovering from the drought and associated losses, and going forward as climate change increases the likelihood of worsening drought?

“As a farmer, I know what drought can do to food production and profitability. In 2024, we had one week open before flash drought destroyed the crop. Because of this year’s drought, we only harvested 30% of the berries we did in 2025. Through the Ag Water Resource Assistance Program, there are several best management practices that can help address water needs on farms. Additionally, District staff can provide technical assistance to help find solutions like additional water storage, irrigation planning, and other ways to conserve limited water resources without creating erosion issues.

Our farm has received technical assistance from the local Soil and Water District to better utilize our existing rainwater capture system by adding cisterns for additional water storage capacity, in addition to design assistance for dripline irrigation versus overhead spraying. This will help make sure our blueberry bushes and blackberry canes are getting the water they need directly at the roots in times of future droughts.”

5. Climate change is also contributing to worse inland flooding, like the Triangle saw from Tropical Storm Chantal in 2025. How can the board support the county’s climate resilience?

“For 61 years, the Wake Soil and Water District has led local efforts to address soil and water resource needs and is becoming increasingly important to building climate resiliency through resource management, technical assistance, streambank and wetland restoration, and educational efforts. What the District does makes meaningful impacts – but there is always opportunity to do more.
Building climate resiliency is rooted in the core of the Soil and Water Conservation District mission. Implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural lands helps to prevent soil erosion and improve water quality. However, with land use transitions, we are seeing increased community impacts from flooding events that are jeopardizing life, homes, and water quality.

Most of the existing statewide programs for soil and water conservation are related to agricultural lands. However, Districts have evolved to remain relevant to communities, expanding to include the Community Conservation Assistance Program to address stormwater concerns on non-agricultural lands in 2006 and establishing the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program in 2021 to address severe draining infrastructure issues and flooding. As DEQ begins implementation of the NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint, there is an opportunity to create additional programs and secure resources to help communities further mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Wake County’s investments in farmland preservation helps ensure that farms and forests remain as the front line of defense for climate and environmental resilience. These working lands provide nature-based safeguards against severe weather events including drought and flooding. These lands absorb tremendous amounts of stormwater, minimizing heavy surface runoff. Additionally, they act as natural buffers along streams, absorbing the impact of overflowing banks. Healthy root systems serve as anchors for soil, preventing heaty rain from washing soil and sediment into creeks, streams and rivers.

The largest limiting factor to how much Districts can accomplish to build resiliency is funding availability. There is also need for a “One Future” approach to building a collaboration that brings together all impacted by climate changes to holistically evaluate and plan for a more resilient future. These are not issues that stop at one level of government or at governmental lines.”

6. Most candidates in this race have listed protecting farmland as a priority. What steps can and should the Board of Supervisors take in protecting farmland, and how would you balance that goal with the pressures of growth and development?

Over the last two years, I was part of the core team that developed the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan approved by the Board of Commissioners unanimously in June 2026. I am proud of the plan, but it can’t remain just a document – it must be implemented in a meaningful manner. In the last decade Wake County has seen over 36,000 acres transition out of farm and forestry. While I’m grateful for the commitment of landowners and County Commissioners to invest in permanent conservation easements, it can’t be the only mechanism leveraged. This year I helped advocate at the NC General Assembly to secure an additional $2 million in additional recurring funding (now $7 million annually) and $47 million in one-time funding to help meet the growing demand of farmers who wish to ensure their land stays in agriculture forever. It is important to note that conservation easements are legal transactions and take time to implement. This option may not work for every landowner, and we need multiple options to address farmland preservation.

There are two additional tools that would be very helpful in Wake County. Implementing voluntary agricultural zoning designation would give landowners a way to communicate that they want their land to stay in production. Additionally, strengthening Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District (EVAD) program to include a financial incentive for producers may help ensure farmland stays in production longer. Full implementation of the Wake County Farmland Preservation Plan will take engagement by municipalities and Wake County as well as other stakeholders. Developing the Farmland Preservation Plan gave me an opportunity to work with many of these groups, and I am committed to implementing the plan to make Wake County more resilient in conserving our natural resources. 

It is important to recognize that the District has no authority over growth and development or if landowners chose to sell. However, the District hosts an annual Keep the Farm Workshop and all landowners currently in the Present Use Value (PUV) program are invited to attend to learn more about resources and options to keep their land in farming or forestry. This is becoming increasingly important as the county and nation, with 150 million acres of farmland expected to change ownership in the next 10 years. Once this land is developed, it will never return to food, fiber, fuel or forestry production. Addressing this challenge will take involvement and commitment from all levels of government.

7. What steps should the county take to prevent water pollution, whether from runoff or chemicals like PFAS? What role should the Board of Supervisors play in safeguarding clean water?

The Wake One Water Plan is a 50-year, watershed-based strategy approved by the Board of Commissioners in February 2026. Based on an integrated approach to looking at all water in the county, it includes four core pillars: optimized water supply; water quality and hydrology; land conservation and flood resilience. The strategy integrates water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and groundwater management with county and municipal planning.

Developing the plan was a massive 3-year collaborative effort including Wake County and all 12 municipalities along with technical experts and direct public feedback. I participated through the public survey, and District Staff were engaged throughout the project. However, it can’t stop with a document posted on a website. 

We have the plan – now is the time for the Wake County Planning and Development Services to begin implementing the One Water approach to drive meaningful, proven, science-based efforts to protect water quality and quantity across Wake County. The plan includes numerous action items, and the identified partners need to be convened. Given population growth and recent extreme weather events, our communities can not afford for this to be a plan without meaningful action. 

As a Supervisor, I serve as the Wake District’s representative on the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition, taking a similar approach to the entire Jordan Lake Watershed. This is an ongoing effort. As a farmer in the Jordan Lake Watershed, resident of Cary, and District Supervisor, I bring a unique and valuable voice to the conversation. 

This One Water approach needs more broadly adopted than just one county or one watershed – the decisions made in Wake County impact all communities downstream all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Environmental systems are incredibly interwoven and must be evaluated holistically and not depended on man-made borders. 

Soil and Water Conservation Districts are well equipped to serve as a vital partner in implementing a One Water approach by leveraging existing conservation programs, providing technical assistance and exploring new best management practices based on science and research. The Conservation Partnership (local, state and federal) also has experience in implementing pilot projects and utilizing one-time funding to address resource needs.

8. Are there any other issues you would like to address?

The mission and efforts of Conservation Districts have greatly impacted me personally – from work done on the farm I grew up on to the land I tend now, the assistance of Districts has helped me and my family better manage resources. The educational opportunities such as the speech and poster contests and the week I spent at Resource Conservation Workshop in high school deepened my understanding and passion for conserving natural resources.

For the last 4 years I have served with integrity, and have prioritized District meetings, regional and statewide engagement, being at community events, listening sessions, and hearing directly from farmers and landowners about their concerns. If reelected, the next 4 years will not be any different. State law requires each Supervisor to receive 6 hours of Supervisor Training Credit during their 4 years of service. For my current term, I have received 61.5 hours. I believe wholeheartedly in the ability of local districts to address local concerns.

Additionally, I have worked to ensure that best management practices align with modern production needs through efforts like including strawberry row crop covers outlined earlier. The funding distributed by the District is public funding and requires accountability. This includes monitoring to ensure that the BMPs installed are maintained. For many of these practices, that is for a 10-year period. Recognizing that with the rate of farmland loss Wake County has experienced in the last decade that farmers may be hesitant to partner with the District to implement conservation practices, I worked with Districts and the State Soil and Water Commission to get this reduced to 5 years on practices where this is practical. This creates additional flexibility to implement conservation practices in a timeline that makes sense in 2026. 

Wake County deserves Soil and Water District Supervisors who are committed to serving and making sure concerns of our communities are raised to impact meaningful change. This takes having engaged supervisors with relationships locally, regionally and statewide. Early in my term, I noticed that there was not an opportunity for the public to make comments – even though all our meetings are public meetings. While this comment period has only been utilized a handful of times, it provides a way for citizens to express their thoughts and concerns to the Board of Supervisors to assist in determining local needs.