At Sandhills Family Heritage Association, we recognize that land is more than property, it is heritage, history, and the foundation of community. Our Preservation of Land and Natural Resources programs are dedicated to protecting the land our ancestors worked, the places that shaped our lives, and the natural resources that continue to sustain our communities.

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Protecting Family Land & Legacies

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Our preservation efforts are rooted in stewardship, advocacy, and education. We work alongside landowners, families, and partner organizations to:

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• Promote sustainable land use

• Address heirs’ property and land loss

• Support legal and financial literacy regarding land ownership

• Encourage intergenerational knowledge-sharing about land and heritage

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Through workshops and outreach, we help ensure that families can own, enjoy, and benefit from the land they’ve inherited—and pass it on to future generations.

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Deerfield Cemetery Initiative

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One of our most meaningful preservation projects is the Deerfield Cemetery initiative, focused on restoring and protecting a historic African American burial ground located on the former McDiarmid plantation.

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Gifted to SFHA in 2021 by Brian Armstrong, the cemetery was originally used as a resting place for enslaved individuals and later served the African American community after emancipation.

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Today, Deerfield stands as a sacred space of remembrance and a living history site. Our ongoing restoration and maintenance efforts are part of our broader mission to preserve legacy, honor memory, and uphold the dignity of those laid to rest there.

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Looking Forward

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Preserving land and natural resources isn’t just about the past, it’s also about building a sustainable future. SFHA remains committed to:

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• Environmental awareness and conservation

• Land stewardship education

• Intergenerational land-use planning

• Protecting the cultural landscapes that define the Sandhills

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We invite you to join us in this work—to preserve what matters, protect family stories tied to the land, and plant seeds for generations to come.