Preserving farmland takes more than passion and planning—it takes funding. Fortunately, there are robust state and federal programs that provide the dollars needed to help farmers protect their land through conservation easements, development rights purchases, and other preservation tools. These programs offer landowners real financial support to keep farms viable and undeveloped for generations to come.
What Are State and Federal Farmland Preservation Programs?
These are public funding initiatives designed to incentivize the permanent protection of agricultural land. Most programs provide cost-share or full funding for the purchase of development rights (PDRs), usually through conservation easements. Some also support agricultural district enrollment, soil conservation practices, or land acquisition by land trusts.
They exist at both the federal and state levels, with funding often coming from voter-approved bonds, agricultural departments, or conservation agencies.
How It Works
Federal Programs:
-
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP):
-
Administered by: USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
-
Components:
-
Agricultural Land Easements (ALE): Helps protect working agricultural lands by limiting non-agricultural uses.
-
Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE): Aims to restore and protect wetlands on private and tribal lands.
-
Eligibility: Private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities.
-
Application: Entities apply through NRCS state offices.
-
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP):
-
Provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices.
-
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP):
-
Supports producers in maintaining and improving existing conservation systems and adopting additional practices.
State Programs:
Many states have established their own programs to complement federal efforts:
-
California – Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program:
-
Administered by: California Department of Conservation.
-
Focus: Funds conservation easements and planning grants to protect agricultural lands under threat of development.
-
New York – Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG):
-
Administered by: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
-
Focus: Provides funding to purchase development rights to protect viable agricultural land.
-
Maryland – Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF):
-
Administered by: Maryland Department of Agriculture.
-
Focus: Purchases agricultural preservation easements from willing sellers to permanently protect farmland.
-
Pennsylvania – Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program (ACEPP):
-
Administered by: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
-
Focus: Partners with counties to purchase conservation easements on productive farmland.
-
Washington – Farmland Preservation Program:
-
Administered by: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
-
Focus: Provides grants to buy development rights on farmlands to ensure they remain available for farming.
Benefits:
-
Financial Incentives: Offers landowners compensation for placing conservation easements on their property, making preservation economically viable.
-
Tax Benefits: Landowners may receive property tax reductions and other tax incentives.
-
Farm Viability: Ensures long-term access to affordable farmland for future generations.
-
Environmental Protection: Preserves open space, protects wildlife habitats, and maintains ecosystem services.
-
Community Engagement: Encourages collaboration between landowners, governments, and conservation organizations.
For a comprehensive list of farmland protection programs by state, you can explore the Farmland Protection Directory, which provides detailed information on various initiatives across the United States.
Conclusion
State and federal farmland preservation programs are the financial backbone of the conservation movement. They offer essential resources that help farmers do what they do best—grow food and steward the land—while making sure future generations can do the same. These programs don’t just protect acres; they protect livelihoods, traditions, and the future of rural America.
If you’re a landowner interested in preserving your land, start by contacting your state department of agriculture or a local land trust. They can guide you through available funding opportunities and help you take the next step.
