AM-PM Farms protects 418 acres of prime farmland through conservation easement
February 9, 2026
FOUNTAIN INN, SC – Platt and Ashley Moore have ensured their family farm remains productive agricultural land for generations to come by establishing a conservation easement that protects 418 acres of prime farmland at AM-PM Farms in northern Laurens County.
Facilitated by the SC Farm Bureau Land Trust and funded by the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the conservation easement permanently protects the working cattle operation from future development while allowing the Moores to continue building their thriving direct-to-consumer beef business.
“Platt and Ashley exemplify the forward-thinking stewardship we’re seeing among South Carolina farmers,” said Gary Spires, Executive Director of the SC Farm Bureau Land Trust. “They’ve built an extraordinary operation – growing and selling their beef locally – and now they’re ensuring this land remains productive farmland forever. Their commitment to both their business and conservation is truly commendable.”
AM-PM Farms is a beef cattle operation owned by the Moores, SC Farm Bureau members who have built a successful direct-to-consumer business. The farm is home to over 500 Red and Black Angus brood cows and supplies beef sold at the couple’s three butchery and market locations in Fountain Inn, Greenville, and Travelers Rest.
Each location features the farm’s own beef, raised and finished on-site and processed locally, along with products from over 70 local farms and small businesses, including chicken, eggs, milk, and cheeses.
The farm encompasses 489 acres, with 418 acres now protected under the conservation easement. In addition to its agricultural production, the property features significant frontage on Durbin Creek, a tributary of the Enoree River. The stream corridors are fenced off from pastures to protect water quality and aquatic habitats.
“Protecting this land through a conservation easement means we’re ensuring that future generations can continue farming here,” said Ashley Moore. “This farm isn’t just our livelihood, it’s our commitment to providing families across the Upstate with locally raised, high-quality beef while stewarding the land responsibly.”
Preserving South Carolina’s Agricultural Future
The South Carolina Legislature created the SC Farm Bureau Land Trust in 2023 in response to growing concern among the state’s farmers about the rapid loss of agricultural land to development. Together, through the dedicated work of SC Farm Bureau Land Trust staff and the commitment of South Carolina’s farmers, 9,133 acres of farmland have been conserved across the state.
The program’s success reflects both strong demand from landowners and unprecedented support from the South Carolina General Assembly. Lawmakers created the Working Agricultural Lands Fund in 2024 and initially funded it with $3 million. When that funding was exhausted due to high demand, the General Assembly responded by allocating $12 million in the current budget year.
“The General Assembly’s commitment to this program demonstrates that preserving working agricultural land is a priority for South Carolina,” Spires said. “By increasing funding and creating the Working Agricultural Lands Fund, lawmakers have made it possible for full-time farmers to receive up to 50% of their easement value in cash, making conservation a viable option for families who rely on their land for their livelihood.”
Under the program, qualifying landowners can receive cash payments, federal tax deductions, and state tax credits, making conservation easements an economically sound choice for protecting South Carolina’s agricultural heritage.
Conservation easements are voluntary and perpetual. Landowners retain ownership of their property and can continue farming, change crops, or sell the land. The easement simply removes the development rights, ensuring the land remains in agricultural or forestry use forever.
About AM-PM Farms
AM-PM Farms Butchery & Market is a family-owned Upstate farm and marketplace founded in 2020 by Platt and Ashley Moore. Based near Fountain Inn, the farm raises beef without vaccines, hormones, or antibiotics and operates three retail locations serving the Upstate. In addition to its own products, AM-PM Farms features goods from more than 70 local farms and small businesses. The farm is located at 3085 Allen Bridge Road, Fountain Inn. Retail stores are located at 202 S Weston St, Fountain Inn; 1907 Laurens Road, Greenville; and 164 S. Main Street, Suite B, in Travelers Rest.
Learn more at ampmfarmsbutcheryandmarket.com.
About SC Farm Bureau Land Trust
The SC Farm Bureau Land Trust works to preserve South Carolina’s agricultural heritage by protecting productive farmland through conservation easements, ensuring that working farms remain available for future generations.
