Young’s Farm Permanently Protected to Preserve Agriculture and Support Swamp Restoration in Dorchester County

Land conservation effort near Saint George safeguards farmland and strengthens Polk Swamp restoration efforts

Charleston, SC, July 8, 2025 – Lowcountry Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to preserving Lowcountry landscapes and waterways for current and future generations, is proud to announce the permanent protection of a working agricultural property owned by Rita and Melvin Young in Dorchester County. Located just outside the Town of Saint George, the 225-acre Young’s Farm represents the first conservation easement in the county supported by both the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the Dorchester County Greenbelt Program.

“We applaud the Young Family for ensuring their working land remains working forever, Dorchester County voters for voluntarily establishing the Greenbelt program, and County Council for recognizing the role of conservation easements in protecting working farmland,” commented Raleigh West, director, South Carolina Conservation Bank. “We’re honored to bring state dollars to the table when so many parties have worked together for success.” 

In addition to preserving valuable farmland, the conservation of Young’s Farm helps sustain the region’s agricultural heritage through a long-standing partnership with a large-scale local farmer. The farmer cultivates crops such as cotton, soybeans, and corn, which contribute to the broader agricultural economy, and also produces oat hay specifically for the Youngs’ beloved llamas. By maintaining access to productive, high-quality soils, this easement supports the ongoing viability of agriculture in Dorchester County.

“When we originally moved to Illinois, the entire area was farmland,” recalls Dr. Rita Young. Within eighteen years, we were the only farm left. Eighteen years is such a short time for productive agricultural and eco-friendly land to be turned into developments. We never wanted to experience that again. Preserving the land is healthy for the environment, the agricultural community and for the continued beauty of Dorchester County.” That commitment to preservation is now being realized through a conservation easement, which, as Mel Young explains, “will allow our land to be preserved as productive agricultural land, as well as a habitat that is crucial to the biodiversity that comes with the combination of woods, wetlands, and open fields.”

The protection of Young’s Farm also strengthens neighboring conservation efforts by connecting with a major restoration project within Polk Swamp, a once-thriving cypress and tupelo swamp that was severely impacted by Hurricane Hugo. Led by Dorchester County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the restoration will begin later this year. Together, the conservation easement and restoration project create a synergistic opportunity to heal and sustain this rare natural habitat.

“Preserving working lands in Dorchester County, near growing towns like Saint George, is critical to protecting the character, ecology, and agricultural future of the Lowcountry,” said Hunter Allen, Land Protection Project Manager at Lowcountry Land Trust. “This project is a shining example of how landowners, nonprofits, and government partners can come together to make a meaningful and lasting impact.”

The Youngs sought to protect their land amid increasing development pressure, and their decision helps safeguard the dwindling inventory of high-quality farmland in Dorchester County. This easement offers a hopeful spark for additional conservation interest in the region, particularly in areas historically underrepresented in permanent land protection.

Stay connected by following @LowcountryLandTrust on social media and signing up for their email newsletter to receive the latest updates on conservation efforts and ways to get involved.

ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST

Lowcountry Land Trust—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—permanently protects land throughout coastal South Carolina that is foundational to the area’s coastal ecosystem and residents’ quality of life. Having protected over 163,000 acres of land since its founding in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust is one of the most impactful local land trusts in the United States. More information about Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org.

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