The Kellam-Wyatt Farm Preserve
Places like the Kellam-Wyatt Farm are rare in Raleigh. This farm, cherished by Bob Kellam and Susan Wyatt for three generations, has been a beacon of environmental stewardship. Their forests and lakes provide sanctuary to countless plants and animals, while their sustainable farming practices have kept our air and water clean. The produce they grew and sold at local farmers’ markets has nourished our community, and their teachings have inspired the next generation of farmers.
Working with the City of Oaks Foundation, Bob and Susan envisioned Kellam-Wyatt Farm as a hub for environmental education and sustainable agriculture. They protected the land with a conservation easement to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Though Bob passed away in August 2016, Susan and her step-daughter Leewyn Kellam continued their work with the Foundation. Their efforts paid off when, in April 2018, the Wake County Commission accepted the donation of Kellam-Wyatt Farm. This lush property, featuring woods, lakes, and trails, will become a future park, nature preserve, or community agricultural site, celebrating our community's natural and agricultural heritage.
Bob and Susan, who met while working for the Environmental Protection Agency, began farming the land after retirement. They specialized in produce and pastured laying hens, primarily selling their goods through farmers’ markets and a small community-supported agriculture program. Their work at the EPA instilled a deep appreciation for sustainable farming methods.
“My late husband, Bob Kellam, who grew up working on the farm, was a strong advocate for environmental protection and organically grown local food since the 1970s,” Susan Wyatt shared. “He, his daughter Leewyn, and I have enjoyed the beauty of the woods and ponds; the great herons, ospreys, and other water birds; the singing of toads and frogs; and local fresh vegetables and fruits from the fields for many years.
“As Wake County’s population has skyrocketed, and fields and forests have been replaced with roofs and pavement, our determination to preserve and share open space with future generations has been reinforced. Through our visits to county parks, volunteer work with the County Extension Service, and association with the County Soil and Water Conservation Department, we have observed that Wake County shares our values of open space, environmental protection, and sustainable agriculture. We feel confident that Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space will be excellent stewards for the farm’s future.”
The Kellam-Wyatt Farm Preserve is not yet open to the public. Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space staff, along with Wyatt and the City of Oaks Foundation, have begun the master planning process. They aim to balance open space preservation, nature conservation, recreation, and the farm's rich agricultural history.
