In 1811, John W. Caldwell and Nancy Hartfield purchased 600 acres of swampy land in Robeson County, moving from Kinston to the Raft Swamp area near Lumberton. Their descendants, now the Dietzel family, have held the property for seven generations, passing it down through 214 years of stewardship. Today the family controls 306 acres, a remnant of the original tract.
On June 9, 2023, Three Rivers Land Trust secured a permanent conservation easement that covers 298 of those 306 acres. The easement prohibits any future residential or commercial development, ensuring the land remains forested and agricultural. Ownership stays with Joe, Rosalie, and Charles Dietzel, but the trust will enforce the restriction.
The land’s use has shifted from tobacco fields to a managed longleaf and loblolly pine forest, a transition that earned the family recognition from the North Carolina Forest Service and a spot on the Longleaf Alliance’s Honour Roll. The Dietzels’ commitment to sustainable forestry has been praised by conservationists who view the easement as a safeguard for the region’s biodiversity. It also preserves a living link to the region’s agrarian past.
Emily Callicutt, director of conservation at Three Rivers, said, "The Dietzel family are remarkable stewards of their land and are deeply committed to its permanent conservation." Travis Morehead added, "Saving family farms is one of our core missions."
The easement will be monitored annually by the trust, with penalties for violations. Local developers will now face a permanent restriction on the 298 acres, redirecting new projects to other parcels. The family plans to continue managing the remaining 8 acres for timber harvest while honoring the legacy of John and Nancy Caldwell.