Current Poll
| Farmland protection efforts down |
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| Opinion | |||
| Written by Bob Harrington | |||
| Wednesday, 07 October 2009 07:00 | |||
It is doubtful many farmers or farm land owners in this area pay much attention to the USDA purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs known as PACE.  The primary purpose of a conservation easement is to protect land from certain forms of development or use. Lands for which conservation easements may be desirable include agricultural land, timber resources, and/or other valuable natural resources such as wildlife habitat, clean water, clean air or scenic open space. Protection is achieved primarily by separating the right to subdivide and build on the land from the other rights of ownership, according to Debra Sumner, Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist. The landowner who gives up development rights continues to privately own and manage the land and may receive significant state and federal tax advantages for having donated and/or sold the conservation easement, according to Sumner. By doing so, the landowner contributes to the public welfare by preserving the conservation values associated with the land for future generations. In accepting the USDA conservation easement, the holder has a responsibility to monitor future uses of the land to ensure compliance with the terms of the easement and to enforce the terms if a violation occurs. Although a conservation easement prohibits certain uses by the landowner, such an easement does not open the land to the public. According to statistics released by American Farmland Trust’s Farmland Information Center, farmland protection efforts slowed in 2008 — likely due to high land values. The statistics were generated from a nationwide survey of 77 independent purchases of agricultural conservation easement programs in 19 states. The limited survey found communities spent more than $277 million to protect 15,492 acres of farm and ranch land in 2008. Although they spent 77 percent more than they did in 2007, they protected 67 percent fewer acres and acquired 46 percent fewer easements. Next year’s news may be worse, according to American Farmland Trust. Although land values have decreased nationwide, the economic downturn and local budget shortfalls have impacted funding for farmland protection. According to respondents, available program funds are down 18 percent for fiscal year 2009, and state and federal matching funds for agricultural easement acquisitions may be sparse. “It’s a missed opportunity — communities won’t be able to take advantage of the relatively low land values,” said Bob Wagner, American Farmland Trust’s senior director of Farmland protection programs. “Investing in farmland protection makes good economic sense. Purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs enable farmers to tap into their land equity so they can improve and expand their businesses.” American Farmland Trust studies show farmers selling their development rights use the proceeds to implement conservation practices, retire debt and buy equipment and supplies. Investments in critical agricultural infrastructure, especially productive farmland, are key to growing local and regional food systems. “As far as economic stimulus expenditures go, purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs may represent the best all-around value for taxpayers,” Wagner said. While American Farmland Trust foresees possible lower farmland values, Gary Hosack of Crown Realty in Paola said, “Surprisingly enough, farm land has been stable in this area. Commercial and other property may have taken a hit, but not farm land.” Crown Realty is a large mover of farm property in this area. American Farmland Trust’s Farmland Information Center conducts an annual survey of state and local purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs throughout the country. Results are available online at www.farmlandinfo.org.
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