A former Franklin County dairy farming couple has placed more than 400 acres of land under conservation easements.

Galen and Ruby Brubaker placed the land in three parcels under easements to help protect Rocky Mount's water supply and water quality in the Blackwater River, which flows into Smith Mountain Lake.

"Mr. Brubaker has been very involved in farming and land issues in a number of capacities over the years," said Josh Gibson, an easement specialist with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, in a news release. "The Brubakers are helping to preserve the rural landscape for future generations in one of the most scenic and active farming communities in Franklin County."

The Brubakers have owned the land, located near Callaway and Boones Mill, since 1949, when they began the Galeru Dairy Farm.

Roger Holnback, executive director of the Western Virginia Land Trust, said the couple looked to place the land under easement to keep the rural and agricultural feel of the property.

A conservation easement is a legal agreement that places development restrictions on a piece of land.

In this case, the landowners can still farm or deed the land to their heirs as well as build a limited number of homes on it, but the land cannot be used for subdivisions.

Under the easement requirements for the Brubakers' land, there must be forest buffers placed along the streams on the property for water protection.

"This is a place that could easily be developed," Holnback said. "There are a lot of subdivisions coming in down there. It's important that we keep this place as rural as possible."

Holnback said there is a growing trend in Franklin County to place land under easement.

More than 2,000 acres of land have been placed under easement in the county in the past 10 years, Holnback said.

"The growth in easements in Franklin County has grown exponentially over the past 10 years," said Holnback, adding there were 13 other easements in the county. "It used to be only wealthy people could afford to place their land under easements. With the new state income tax credit, it is really catching on with everyday farmers. It's now a part of everyday conversation."