On Oct. 15, 2026, Superior Court Judge John Morris granted summary judgment in favor of Triangle Land Conservancy, blocking the 2,500‑seat amphitheater planned for Union Grove Farm in Orange County, NC. The 187‑acre easement, signed in 1995 by former Maple View Dairy owner Bob Nutter, prohibits large‑scale construction that would compromise the farm’s agricultural character.
The easement was upheld when the farm changed hands in 2021, and the new owners, led by Greg Bohlen, pushed for a venue that would have broken the original terms. In August 2025, TLC sued to stop the roads and the amphitheater, arguing the project violated the easement’s perpetual protection clause.
Bohlen, a fifth‑generation farmer who turned to venture capital, has 30 days to file a notice of appeal with the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He had previously challenged the county’s decision that the venue did not qualify as agritourism, but withdrew that appeal in October 2025 after a Board of Adjustment hearing.
The farm, which spans 1,200 acres and cultivates muscadine grapes, raises sheep, and runs a vermiculture program, has long touted regenerative practices that improve soil health. A 12‑hour shift for a local vineyard worker, who says the easement keeps the land fertile, now faces uncertainty as construction plans stall.
If Bohlen files an appeal, the appellate court will schedule a hearing in early 2027; otherwise, the easement will enforce the preservation of the 187 acres. The ruling also dismisses a counterclaim by East‑West Organics, easing concerns about adjacent land use.