Wake County, North Carolina
Jim White
For Wake County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor
"Keeping Wake County in Balance"
About the Candidate
About Jim White Rooted in Wake County. Invested in Its Future.
The Role
Why This Race Matters
Most people don't know what the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District does—and that's understandable.
The District doesn't approve development projects, write zoning laws, or decide where Wake County grows. Its mission is different. It works with farmers, landowners, developers, businesses, schools, and local governments to promote conservation through technical assistance, education, voluntary programs, and partnerships that protect our soil, water, and other natural resources.
That work matters more today than ever before.
As one of America's fastest-growing counties, Wake County has an opportunity to demonstrate that growth and conservation don't have to compete. By helping keep agriculture economically viable, encouraging innovative local food systems, promoting responsible stewardship, and bringing people together around practical conservation solutions, the District can help shape a healthier and more resilient future for everyone.
The role of a District Supervisor isn't to regulate growth—it's to provide leadership, build partnerships, and help connect people with the resources and programs that make conservation work.
I believe the District can do more than protect our natural resources. It can help make Wake County a model for how thriving communities, productive agriculture, and conservation work together to create a stronger local economy and an even better quality of life.
Platform
Keeping Wake County in Balance
Wake County's greatest strength is its diversity—thriving communities, productive farms, vibrant downtowns, parks, forests, and open spaces. As our county continues to grow, we have an opportunity to preserve the balance that makes this such a special place to live. As your Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, I will focus on four priorities.
Support a Strong Local Food Economy
Agriculture is more than Wake County's history—it's part of our future. I'll work to strengthen partnerships and conservation programs that help farmers remain productive and profitable while encouraging innovation in local food production, farm-to-table businesses, agritourism, farmers markets, food hubs, value-added agriculture, controlled-environment agriculture, and urban farming. Keeping food production closer to consumers is a growing national and global trend, and Wake County is well positioned to become a leader.
Keep Farming a Competitive Choice
The greatest threat to agriculture in Wake County isn't growth itself—it's the economic reality that selling land often becomes more profitable than farming it. While the Conservation District doesn't control zoning or land-use decisions, it can be a catalyst for partnerships, education, and conservation programs that help landowners see agriculture as a viable long-term investment. I'll work with farmers, businesses, universities, conservation organizations, and local governments to encourage creative approaches that make working lands more valuable, strengthen rural entrepreneurship, and preserve the agricultural character that benefits every Wake County resident.
Protect the Natural Resources That Support Our Communities
Healthy soil and clean water are the foundation of thriving neighborhoods, productive farms, resilient watersheds, and beautiful parks. I'll support practical conservation practices that improve water quality, reduce erosion, strengthen our watersheds, increase resilience to flooding, and ensure these resources remain healthy for future generations.
Build Partnerships That Deliver Results
The Conservation District succeeds by bringing people together. I'll work to strengthen relationships with landowners, homeowners, businesses, schools, conservation organizations, and agricultural partners while increasing public awareness of the District's programs and opportunities. The best conservation solutions are built through collaboration—not regulation.
Support the Campaign
Building the Next Generation of Wake County
Wake County is one of America's fastest-growing communities. We have an opportunity to become a national model for how growth, conservation, and local agriculture can work together.
Growth doesn't have to replace agriculture.
Growth can become agriculture's next customer.
That's the future I want to help build.