When you think of farmland protection, you might picture zoning ordinances or tax incentives. But some of the most effective—and passionate—advocates for saving agricultural land are nonprofit land trusts and conservation organizations working quietly in communities across the United States.
These groups aren’t government agencies. They’re mission-driven, community-rooted nonprofits that work directly with landowners to keep farmland in production, forever. In this blog post, we’ll explore who these groups are, what they do, and why their work is essential to the future of farming.
What Are Land Trusts?
Land trusts are private, nonprofit organizations that protect land for conservation purposes, including agriculture. They work voluntarily with landowners to conserve land through tools like:
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Conservation easements
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Land acquisition
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Farmland access programs
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Stewardship and monitoring
There are more than 1,700 land trusts in the U.S., and many focus specifically on preserving working lands like farms, ranches, and orchards.
Notable examples include:
- American Farmland Trust (AFT)
- Equity Trust
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State and regional groups like the Vermont Land Trust, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), and Lancaster Farmland Trust
How Land Trusts Protect Farmland
1. Conservation Easements
Land trusts often work with farmers to place voluntary, permanent conservation easements on their land. These legal agreements:
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Restrict non-agricultural development
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Allow the land to remain privately owned and farmed
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Are recorded with the deed and passed on to future owners
Land trusts draft, negotiate, fund, and steward these easements, often using public funds (from state or federal programs) or private donations.
Example: A land trust buys the development rights on a 100-acre farm, ensuring it can never be turned into a housing development.
2. Buying and Leasing Farmland
Some land trusts buy farmland directly, then lease or sell it to farmers at affordable rates with long-term restrictions.
This helps:
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Keep land in the hands of farmers
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Prevent land from being sold to non-agricultural interests
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Increase access for beginning, underserved, or landless farmers
Some land trusts also use the Buy-Protect-Sell model:
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Buy farmland on the open market
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Place a conservation easement on it
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Sell the protected land at a reduced price to a working farmer
3. Technical Assistance and Education
Land trusts often provide:
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Guidance on estate planning and succession
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Help navigating tax incentives
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Workshops on conservation tools
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Mentorship programs for new farmers
Their relationships with landowners are trust-based and long-term, built over years of listening and collaboration.
4. Partnership with Government and Communities
Land trusts are often the bridge between private landowners and public funding sources like:
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USDA’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
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State farmland protection programs
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Local land conservation ballot measures
They also play an advocacy role by:
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Educating the public on the importance of farmland
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Supporting farmland-friendly policies
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Raising funds from foundations and individual donors
Why Land Trusts Matter for Farmland
Farmland is lost every day—roughly 2,000 acres in the U.S. are converted to non-agricultural uses daily. This loss threatens:
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Local food systems
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Climate resilience
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Rural economies
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Cultural heritage
Land trusts step in to permanently protect farms, often when no one else can. Their work is:
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Voluntary: Landowners choose to work with them.
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Community-centered: They understand local land use, farming practices, and values.
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Enduring: Easements are permanent and monitored forever.
Land Trusts as Part of the Bigger Picture
Land trusts often work hand-in-hand with other farmland protection tools:
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Agricultural zoning: Sets the policy foundation
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Purchase of development rights (PDR): Provides funding mechanisms
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Right-to-farm laws: Protect day-to-day operations
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Tax incentives: Sweeten the deal for landowners
Together, these tools create layers of protection—with land trusts often serving as the connective tissue.
How You Can Support Farmland-Focused Land Trusts
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Donate: Many land trusts rely on donations to fund easements and stewardship.
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Volunteer: Help with monitoring, outreach, or event planning.
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Advocate: Support policies that fund farmland conservation.
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Spread the word: Educate others about the importance of preserving farmland.
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Work with them: If you own land, talk to a local land trust about your conservation goals.
Conclusion: Partners in Permanence
Farmland doesn’t protect itself. It needs advocates, stewards, and community support. Land trusts and conservation nonprofits are on the front lines of this work—quietly and persistently protecting the lands that feed us, generation after generation.
Whether you’re a landowner, policymaker, or concerned citizen, supporting the mission of these organizations is a powerful way to ensure that America’s farmland stays in farming—forever.
Want to find a land trust near you? Visit Land Trust Alliance’s Find a Land Trust tool to get connected.
