About me
Carrie Martin is a multi-generational farmer, agritourism practitioner, and agricultural leader with over 20 years of experience. As Director of Agriculture and Conservation with the Black Family Land Trust, Inc. (BFLT), Carrie leads efforts to support farmers and landowners in securing clear title to heirs’ property, protecting generational wealth, and implementing risk management strategies. Her work centers on land retention, conservation planning, and increasing access to USDA programs and technical resources.
Carrie provides hands-on technical assistance to farmers by guiding them through conservation tools such as agricultural easements, land transition planning, and sustainable land use practices. She is also a leader in advancing soil health and supporting the development of food forests on small farms, helping landowners adopt regenerative practices that improve productivity, biodiversity, and long-term land stewardship.
A passionate educator, Carrie conducts workshops and trainings focused on agritourism development, farm infrastructure, soil health, food forest design, and land-based storytelling. She is committed to equipping small acreage farmers with the tools to diversify their operations and build sustainable, experience-driven farm enterprises.
As co-owner of Footprints in the Garden, Carrie works alongside her family to steward their 143-year-old farm while creating immersive agritourism and farm-based experiences. The farm has been recognized with NC’s highest citizens honor, the Longleaf Pine award, reflecting its legacy of continuous family ownership and stewardship. Through Footprints in the Garden, Carrie and her family produce fruits, vegetables, and value-added products while hosting more than 30 events annually, ranging from educational workshops and farm tours to seasonal festivals and community gatherings. These experiences connect visitors to agriculture, wellness, and the cultural heritage of the land.
Carrie is also a co-founder of a farmer food collaborative that strengthens local food systems by connecting small farmers to food hubs, markets, retailers, and consumers across North Carolina. In recognition of their conservation leadership, her family was awarded North Carolina’s prestigious Aldo Leopold Conservation Award. Since joining BFLT in 2021, Carrie has expanded access to critical resources for underserved farmers and landowners, strengthening both economic resilience and landownership retention across the region.
Carrie actively serves on numerous boards and committees, including the NC Agritourism Networking Association, NC Farm Bureau, ForestHer NC, NC Food Advocacy Coalition, Sustainable Forest Land Retention (SFLR), and the NC Tree Farm Program. She also contributes to initiatives such as American Farmland Trust’s Women for the Land Learning Circles, the Heirs Property Advisory Committee, RAFI’s Farmers of Color Network, the Black Farmers Market, Feast Down East Food Hub and the NC Food Forest Cohort. A North Carolina native, Carrie enjoys creating meaningful experiences on the farm, traveling, and spending time with her family. A lifelong learner, she holds degrees and certifications in marketing, business administration, extension education, web technology, collaborative problem solving, grant writing, and hydroponics, along with USDA certifications in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Organic Standards, and Soil health.
