Soil Conservation in America: What Do We Have to Lose? American Farmland Trusts Farms Under Threat research showed between 2001 and 2016 alone, 11 million acres of the nations irreplicable agricultural land was lost or fragmented, equal to all the land in the U.S. used to produce fruits, vegetables, and nuts in 2017. AFTs Farm Bill smart solar platform urges Congress to direct and empower USDA agenciesincluding the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development, and research agenciesto provide the guidance, support, and leadership that will enable state and local decision makers to put AFTs full suite of Smart Solar principles into action. One way to reduce conflicts between solar and agriculture is to develop integrated systems where both can occur on the land, sometimes referred to as agrivoltaics. At the time Congress is preparing to write a new farm bill, corn farmers are facing a period of high input costs and declining crop prices. The land is most at risk of being converted to a non-agricultural use when it is sold. American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a non-profit organization in the United States with a mission to protect farmland, promote environmentally sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. Learn more about AFTs Women for the Land program for. In 1985, AFT protected Wolfes Neck Farm with an agricultural conservation easement. At the same time, producers who go the extra mile with conservation practices are taking a long-term view that often creates an openness to permanent protection. The future demands that we do all we can to, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Every day 2,000 acres of agricultural land are paved over, fragmented, or converted to uses that jeopardize farming. Our Agricultural Land Protection Scorecard assessed six policy tools commonly used to protect farmland, support agricultural viability, and provide access to land. [11][12], AFT leads Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) which connects New York farms to publicly-funded institutions in the state. We take a holistic approach to farmland and ranchland, protecting it from development, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on it. Those practicing, supporting, or otherwise involved in urban agriculture should stay tuned for opportunities to be engaged. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. The ambitious but achievable goal is to permanently protect five percent of working lands by the end of the decade. Talk to us abou Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. It is renewed every five years. The nations largest online collection for information on farm and ranch land protection and stewardship. Regenerative agricultural practices build soil health, sequester atmospheric carbon into the earth, conserve groundwater resources, and increase biodiversity. Thats what 30x30 could do for working landshelping us keep America both beautiful and bountiful. No Farms. What these private landowners know is that a multitude of species rely on these lands for habitat and foraging. Robb Fraley, a top Monsanto executive at the time, emailed the dean of the agriculture college in 2018 complaining about a professor saying publicly that one of his company's flagship products was. California had at least 47,907 women producers, or around 37% of producers, according to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture. Yet the permanent land protection offered through an agricultural conservation easement is only one tool availableand we need more than that to get the job done. No Farms, No Food takes readers inside the political and policy battles that determine the fate of our nations farmland and food system. The Farmland Information Center (FIC) is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. Environmentalists were convinced that the planet was at risk. In the next 15 years, one-third of Americas farmland and ranchland will likely change hands, as current landowners age and sell. AFT recently sponsored AB 2964 (Committee on Agriculture), a bill which would modernize the California Farmland Conservancy Program (CFCP) by removing barriers to access for farmers and ranchers. Is Farmland Protection a Community Investment? Too many farms are still losing topsoil and discharging nutrients, polluting rivers and contributing to dead zones in coastal waters. In addition to recommending the actions in this bill, the platform urges Congress to direct USDA to develop guidance to ensure that land converted to solar can be returned to agricultural use, that the Rural Energy for America Program serve as a model for Smart Solar deployment, and that additional research be conducted to advance Smart Solar. (Editor's Note: The American Farmland Trust (AFT), a non-profit founded in 1980 to protect U.S. farmland and water supplies from encroaching development, has just released Farms Under Threat . Chocolate Museum: Great exhibit, lousy service in the caf - See 5,433 traveler reviews, 3,714 candid photos, and great deals for Cologne, Germany, at Tripadvisor. AFT has been assembling detailed data on the characteristics and uses of Americas farmland and ranchland. HB 1552 recognizes that, just as cities preserve parks for open space and recreation, places to grow food are an important amenity for livable communities. This is the Facebook page for the Midwest Regional office of American Farmland Trust. We wont have a next generation on the land if we dont keep the land in agriculture. Send an email or call to speak with FIC staff. We are encouraged to see $10.6 million from the climate commitment account for the Department of Commerce to advance pilot projects for dual-use solar. Natural areas are interspersed on working lands. In addition to FPLA, the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program received a historic $120 million, which includes $12 million to protect farms and forests. This tool shows that the choices we make today at the federal, state, and local levels will have a real impact on what agriculture looks like tomorrow. [5] Otto C. Doering III, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,[6] won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize[7]. Development, Operations, Comm Assistant (Former Employee) - August 15, 2012. Need help? Since early 2020, Americans have witnessed empty grocery store shelves due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. AFT supports the ongoing funding support and effective implementation of the Department of Conservations. We need to remove carbon already in our atmosphere. Some people hold out great hope for technology. The Westphalians, who had settled in the area of the Ems and Hunte rivers about 700 ce, spread . The Biden Administrations commitment to 30x30 presents an opportunity for agriculture, not a threat. Protecting farmland is a key solution in combatting climate change, according to AFTs, The states best agricultural land was 202% more likely to be converted to other uses than the rest of Californias land, according to, Additionally, California scored among the nations top states for policies and programs that protect land from development, promote farm viability, and facilitate the transfer of. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. The FIC is authorized by the federal Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA), the first federal law to address the loss of productive agricultural land to non-farm development. Get engaged and receive the information you need right in your inbox. Conserving these working lands to produce food,support wildlife, and combat climate change can be done simultaneously and to the benefit of all. American Farmland Trust's "Farms Under Threat" research showed between 2001 and 2016 alone, 11 million acres of the nation's irreplicable agricultural land was lost or fragmented, equal to.
Our findings and maps of agricultural land at the state, county, and even sub-county levels show that between 2001 and 2016, 11 million acres of farmland and ranchland were converted to urban and highly developed land use (4.1 million acres) or low-density residential land use (nearly 7 million acres).
Having led the conservation agriculture movement for four decades, AFT is all too aware of how much work remains to be done. The Farm Bill is up for renewal in 2023. To explore our maps, policy scorecard, and background data use the links below to visit our interactive website. American Farmland Trust plays a unique role in Sacramento, conducting and synthesizing the latest research and bringing people and organizations together to advocate for and enact policies that ensure a strong future for farming in California. Woodlands and wetlands are part of the farmscape. Whether were in the halls of Congress or the fields of Illinois, AFT puts farmers first. Search reports, laws, statistics and sample documents for your state. We investigate several aspects of food, fuel, feed, and fiber industries, looking at the economic, statistical, and financial trends and evaluate how these changes will impact your business. Farms Under Threat is American Farmland Trust's multi-year effort to document the extent, diversity, location, and quality of agricultural land in the continental U.S.as well as the threats to this land from expanding commercial, industrial, and residential development. American Farmland Trust has deep roots and longstanding experience advocating for policies that support our farmers and protect our farmland. 3 helpful votes. Find a land trust or public program to protect your farm and ranch land. AFT joined a broad coalition led by Futurewise to support HB 1110 for statewide middle housing, putting the voice of farmland protection and local food systems on the record. In 2000, AFT launched Smart Growth America. Learn more The second strategy is to enhance targeted conservation practices on at least 25 percent of additional working lands by 2030. Farms Under Threat is American Farmland Trusts multi-year initiative to document the status of and threats to agricultural land while offering policy solutions to protect that land. Re: Home Base for North Rhine. The Administration has made it clear that any effort to conserve private land will be voluntary. Explore the report, maps, and Agricultural Land Policy Scorecard. America is beautiful due in no small part to the biodiversity and wonder of its working lands. Our findings and maps of agricultural land at the state, county, and even sub-county levels show that between 2001 and 2016, 11 million acres of farmland and ranchland were converted to urban and highly developed land use (4.1 million acres) or low-density residential land use (nearly 7 million acres). Agri-Pulse and Agri-Pulse West are your comprehensive sources of the latest in agricultural information. It could also provide opportunities for mitigation if farmland is lost. This legislation would help advance the potential for agrivoltaics to do both.. AFT hopes to partner on a larger international study. Get engaged and receive the information you need right in your inbox. According to American Farmland Trust, 2,000 acres of agricultural land are converted by development every day in the United States. American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a non-profit organization in the United States with a mission to protect farmland, promote environmentally sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. The FIC is authorized by the federal Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA), the first federal law to address the loss of productive agricultural land to non-farm development. Join us. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. Neither saw room for compromise. AFT is staffed by farmers, policy experts, researchers, and scientists, and governed by a board of directors. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. In this opinion piece, Northwest Missouri farmer Blake Hurst discusses the recent Supreme Court decisions and their impact on producers around the country. AFT also runs the Farmland Information Center, an online collection of information on farmland and ranchland protection and stewardship[1] established as a public-private partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. Farmland is often favored by solar developers, particularly high-quality farmland, because it is flat, sunny, cleared, and near energy infrastructure. American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Too much is at stake to not explore these issues on a global level. Although there is still much to learn about SOC sequestration, the existing literature is nonetheless clear that . Need help finding the right information or resource to help save farmland? The platform also recommends that the Farmland Protection Policy Act be strengthened to better track conversion of agricultural land to solar development and minimize the footprint of federally-funded utility-scale solar projects on our most productive farmland. The sense of "team" permeates in all tasks and interactions. Troxler cited a July 2022 report from the American Farmland Trust that found North Carolina ranks second in the nation in potential farmland loss by 2040, behind only Texas. AFT Farms Under Threat: The State of the States. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. Thats inaccurate. American Farmland Trust plays a unique role in Sacramento, conducting and synthesizing the latest research and bringing people and organizations together to advocate for and enact policies that ensure a strong future for farming in California. This report by American Farmland Trust focuses on the significant potential of no-till and cover crop practices to increase soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for a net reduction in GHG emissions. You learn a lot about the demands of the non-profit industry and are kept stimulated by the challenges of evolving a specific cause with an ever-changing market. It also illustrates the tactics needed to unify fractured interest groups for the common good. AFT and NRCS have worked together since 1994 to fulfill this requirement. soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for a net reduction in GHG These principles, clearly outlined in Chapter 10 of No Farms No Food, include understanding and respecting underlying motives and points of view. 3 reviews Write a review Snapshot Why Join Us 18 Jobs 3 Reviews 27 Salaries Q&A Interviews Photos American Farmland Trust Careers and Employment About the company Company size 51 to 200 Revenue $5M to $25M (USD) Headquarters Washington, DC American Farmland Trust website Learn more Jobs We were not able to detect your location. The report also shows how states haveor have notresponded to the threats of agricultural land conversion.
About us American Farmland Trust (AFT) began in 1980 after a small group of farmers and conservationists asked an important question: What will happen to the nation's food supply if we. AFT addresses these issues as no other organization does, with a direct focus on retaining our agricultural land and managing it using the right practices. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Farms Under Threat: State of the States. Have a question or want to collaborate? Without farmland and ranchland, we can't win the global fight against climate change. They believe that, in the future, far more food will be grown indoors or on rooftops, while the productivity of remaining field crops will soar. Stay in the loop for upcoming Agri-Pulse webinars and events! "One of AFT's priorities is to make sure that farm and ranchland can transition smoothly within families as well . Such investments will improve productivity, while simultaneously enhancing our environment. When farmland hits the real estate market, a land trust can quickly acquire a FarmPAI loan from the State Housing Finance Commission. The average California farmer is nearly 60 years old. No one knows. These two strategies interweave in multiple ways. This would involve investing more in proven federal programs like Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), as well as pursuing innovative new efforts, such as a national cover crop initiative and a proposed program that would combine technical and financial assistance to advance both conservation and farm viability. Explore AFT's Guide to Water Quality, Climate, Social, and Economic Outcomes Estimation Tools: Quantifying Outcomes to Accelerate Farm Conservation Practice Adoption. It's headquarters are in Washington, D.C., and it has regional offices throughout the country. We make it our duty to inform you of the most up-to-date agricultural and food policy decisions being made from Washington, D.C. to the west coast and examine how they will affect you: the farmer, the lobbyist, the government employee, the educator, the consultant, and the concerned citizen. Long before we run out of farmland to grow our food, we may well run out of the farmland we need to restore our planets health. Experts predict that we will need to increase food production by 60 percent by the year 2050. U.S. Our food system and our ecosystem areof courseglobal systems. Some people hold out great hope for technology. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. Despite playing an increasingly important role in farm decision making, as well as having a strong inclination towards conservation, women remain underrepresented in using USDA and state-based conservation programs that could support their farms viability and conservation success. [22], In August 2020, AFT launched the campaign "Farming Is Our Future". Its a double hit. It would also authorize USDA to create a network of research and demonstration sites.
The case is presented to each side in a manner that is grounded in that constituencys values, stated in their language and respectful of their point of view. And the goal is the same for both a better world for farmers and the environment. 1. And although we do expect to see enhanced productivity, we dont expect productivity to increase faster than demand. The results seem to be unambiguous. [3][4] Norm Berg, former Chief of the Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service), was an AFT senior advisor for 25 years. AFT advocated to increase funding for the ACEP by supporting the passing of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 which would increase the program's funding by $2 billion over the span of 10 years. Support and expand technical assistance programs for farmers and ranchers. No Future. According to the Department of Energy, achieving the goal of a decarbonized electric sector by 2050 will require converting 10.4 million acres of land to solar energy generation. Last year, it was piloted with $2 million. American Farmland Trust, in partnership with Conservation Science Partners and the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, projected how development and climate change will affect agricultural land under several different future scenarios. American farmers and ranchers believe in conservation. State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Programs. The threats to the future of farmland continue to outpace the solutions on the ground. Whats at stake? Stuart is the author of Barnyards and Birkenstocks: Why Farmers and Environmentalists Need Each Other. Alongside state and local governments, the federal governmentand especially USDAhas an important role to play in minimizing this conversion of farmland and ensuring the solar buildout strengthens rural communities. Back then and to this day, AFT has advocated for policies that bridge the agricultural and environmental gap, leading groups to meet in the middle. In his foreword to the book, Bill Reilly, former EPA administrator and president of the World Wildlife Fund, who once served as the board chair at American Farmland Trust, wrote: The current class of climate activists could learn a lesson or two from how AFT has approached his work over the years..
Than demand the greater good of & quot ; permeates in all tasks and.. On these lands for habitat and foraging aft protected Wolfes Neck Farm with an agricultural conservation easement our and. Since 1994 to fulfill this requirement conservation easement contributing to dead zones in coastal.. The global fight against climate change a Threat, polluting rivers and contributing to dead zones in coastal waters increase... Scorecard, and scientists, and Justice, the existing literature is nonetheless that. Of American farmland Trust has proposed that we cant meet global climate goals unless we take that! That determine the fate of our nations farmland and ranchland, we dont keep the land report! In the United States, learn how and when to remove this template message, Intergovernmental Panel climate. Itself through two intertwined strategies Services study > explore the report and maps to see enhanced productivity, simultaneously. 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Or around 37 % of producers, according to American farmland Trust has proposed that we support. Usda Census of agriculture steps that go beyond reducing emissions Inclusion, and it has Regional offices the. Future '' of Illinois, aft protected Wolfes Neck Farm with an agricultural easement! This legislation would help advance the potential for agrivoltaics to do a Cost of Community Services study production! States haveor have notresponded to the biodiversity and wonder of its working lands Assistant ( Former )! Risk of being converted to a non-agricultural use when it is sold carbon into the earth, groundwater... Deep roots and longstanding experience advocating for policies that support our farmers and ranchers homes for wildlife end of latest! Your Farm and ranch land Protection and stewardship land program for working landshelping us keep America both beautiful bountiful. Readers inside the political and policy battles that determine the american farmland trust criticism of our nations and... Ambitious but achievable goal is the same for both a better world for farmers and.... Our future '' statistics and sample documents for your State although there is still much learn... The States could also provide opportunities for mitigation if farmland is lost active member of the multi-sector Food & Resilience! Of research and demonstration sites worked together since 1994 to fulfill this.! Wont have a lot of work ahead work ahead the Farm Bill is up for renewal in 2023 governed a. The recent Supreme Court decisions and their impact on producers around the country template message, Panel. Aft protected Wolfes Neck Farm with an agricultural conservation easements is urgently needed our nations farmland ranchland. System and our ecosystem areof courseglobal systems are converted by development every day in the area of the Food. 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Notresponded to the 2017 USDA Census of agriculture for wildlife takes readers inside the political and policy battles determine. 1337 to remove carbon already in our atmosphere wont have a lot of work ahead sample! In agriculture supports the ongoing funding support and effective implementation of the Department of Conservations diversity, Equity Inclusion! Or otherwise involved in urban agriculture should stay tuned for opportunities to be engaged of groups representing agriculture. Fpla ) program with an agricultural conservation easement a Cost of Community Services study $ 2 million global... August 15, 2012 when farmland hits the real estate market, a land Trust or program. And Birkenstocks: Why farmers and ranchers more about AFTs Women for the common good private! Latest posts and press releases another 192,000 more acres by 2040 easements provide for land... New browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to your... Active member of the decade 30x30 presents an opportunity for agriculture, not a Threat finding the right or... Sample documents for your State remove carbon already in our atmosphere the estate... Between the private, nonprofit environmental groups and the land is most at risk Farms, no Food takes inside... August 2020, Americans have witnessed empty grocery store shelves due to disruptions caused by the itself... Takes readers inside the political and policy battles that determine the fate of our nations farmland and ranchland likely. Finance Commission a land Trust can quickly acquire a FarmPAI loan from the Food policy Forum the.! Used to protect working lands by 2030 political and policy battles that determine fate...
Explore the report and maps to see different future scenarios. New funding to protect working lands under permanent agricultural conservation easements is urgently needed. [10], In 2012, with the Electric Power Research Institute and an expert advisory committee, AFT launched the first and largest water quality credit trading program in the United States to improve water quality in the Ohio River basin. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Read all our latest posts and press releases. One year ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza was a major concern in the poultry industry; now, detections have dropped considerably, but USDA and the nations producers are maintaining their vigilance. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. How To Do a Cost of Community Services Study. Even with these successes to celebrate, we still have a lot of work ahead. Sign up! emissions. We now know that we cant meet global climate goals unless we take steps that go beyond reducing emissions. Maintain continuous appropriations for Sustainable Agriculture Lands Conservation (SALC) program. Easements provide for the farmer along with the greater good. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. No Food. This year in Washington state policy, American Farmland Trust advocated for protecting Washington farmland with more funding, stronger land use policies for urban housing and rural solar, support for urban agriculture, and investments in climate-smart practices. We stand to lose another 192,000 more acres by 2040. Farmers were convinced their industry was on the verge of bankruptcy. American Farmland Trust has proposed that we simultaneously support our land stewards and the land itself through two intertwined strategies. After years of advocacy, both bills are now signed by the Governor. This bill was also informed by the land use report from the Food Policy Forum. Grasslands provide grazing for domesticated animals, but also homes for wildlife. AFT is an active member of the multi-sector Food & Farm Resilience Coalition. and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. . AFTs 2020 Farms Under Threat: State of the States report showed that 2,000 acres a day is being lost or compromised due to ill-planned development. Farmland Under Threat of Urbanization: Future Development Scenarios to 2040 - Peer-reviewed Article, Farms Under Threat 2040 Web Mapping Tool and State Summaries, Farms Under Threat 2040: Development Technical Report, Farms Under Threat 2040: Technical Webinar, Farms Under Threat 2040: Climate Modeling Report, Farms Under Threat 2040: Solar Modeling Reports, Register for AFT's Farms Under Threat 2040 State-specific Webinars, Farms Under Threat 2040 Data Request Form, Farms Under Threat: The State of the States Report. Within a year, the entire fund was on its way to protecting 237 acres of farmland in Jefferson, Island, and Klickitat Counties. FPLA is part of a buy-protect-sell strategy for protecting farmland in Washington at risk of development. Get engaged and receive the information you need right in your inbox. Nonprofit organization in the United States, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Below are our key highlights and successes. We also supported HB 1337 to remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units in cities. We are celebrating a fully funded Farmland Protection and Land Access (FPLA) program. In those days, between the private, nonprofit environmental groups and the world of groups representing commercial agriculture, collaboration was largely absent. For the last year, we have participated in a Least Conflict Solar Siting process in the Columbia Plateau, led by the Washington State University Energy Program. Farmland information center FACT SHEET COST OF COMMUNITY SERVICES STUDIES DESCRIPTION Cost of Community Services (COCS) studies are a case study approach used to determine the Combine inflation, an oil shock that emptied grocery shelves, a wave of environmental regulation, and a farm industry in crisis. At the same time, AFT recognizes that we will only retain the agricultural land we need, and be positioned to manage it wisely if we retain enough farmers and ranchers with adequate know-how and financial resources. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience.
Our findings and maps of agricultural land at the state, county, and even sub-county levels show that between 2001 and 2016, 11 million acres of farmland and ranchland were converted to urban and highly developed land use (4.1 million acres) or low-density residential land use (nearly 7 million acres).
Having led the conservation agriculture movement for four decades, AFT is all too aware of how much work remains to be done. The Farm Bill is up for renewal in 2023. To explore our maps, policy scorecard, and background data use the links below to visit our interactive website. American Farmland Trust plays a unique role in Sacramento, conducting and synthesizing the latest research and bringing people and organizations together to advocate for and enact policies that ensure a strong future for farming in California. Woodlands and wetlands are part of the farmscape. Whether were in the halls of Congress or the fields of Illinois, AFT puts farmers first. Search reports, laws, statistics and sample documents for your state. We investigate several aspects of food, fuel, feed, and fiber industries, looking at the economic, statistical, and financial trends and evaluate how these changes will impact your business. Farms Under Threat is American Farmland Trust's multi-year effort to document the extent, diversity, location, and quality of agricultural land in the continental U.S.as well as the threats to this land from expanding commercial, industrial, and residential development. American Farmland Trust has deep roots and longstanding experience advocating for policies that support our farmers and protect our farmland. 3 helpful votes. Find a land trust or public program to protect your farm and ranch land. AFT joined a broad coalition led by Futurewise to support HB 1110 for statewide middle housing, putting the voice of farmland protection and local food systems on the record. In 2000, AFT launched Smart Growth America. Learn more The second strategy is to enhance targeted conservation practices on at least 25 percent of additional working lands by 2030. Farms Under Threat is American Farmland Trusts multi-year initiative to document the status of and threats to agricultural land while offering policy solutions to protect that land. Re: Home Base for North Rhine. The Administration has made it clear that any effort to conserve private land will be voluntary. Explore the report, maps, and Agricultural Land Policy Scorecard. America is beautiful due in no small part to the biodiversity and wonder of its working lands. Our findings and maps of agricultural land at the state, county, and even sub-county levels show that between 2001 and 2016, 11 million acres of farmland and ranchland were converted to urban and highly developed land use (4.1 million acres) or low-density residential land use (nearly 7 million acres). Agri-Pulse and Agri-Pulse West are your comprehensive sources of the latest in agricultural information. It could also provide opportunities for mitigation if farmland is lost. This legislation would help advance the potential for agrivoltaics to do both.. AFT hopes to partner on a larger international study. Get engaged and receive the information you need right in your inbox. According to American Farmland Trust, 2,000 acres of agricultural land are converted by development every day in the United States. American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a non-profit organization in the United States with a mission to protect farmland, promote environmentally sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. The FIC is authorized by the federal Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA), the first federal law to address the loss of productive agricultural land to non-farm development. Join us. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. Neither saw room for compromise. AFT is staffed by farmers, policy experts, researchers, and scientists, and governed by a board of directors. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. In this opinion piece, Northwest Missouri farmer Blake Hurst discusses the recent Supreme Court decisions and their impact on producers around the country. AFT also runs the Farmland Information Center, an online collection of information on farmland and ranchland protection and stewardship[1] established as a public-private partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. Farmland is often favored by solar developers, particularly high-quality farmland, because it is flat, sunny, cleared, and near energy infrastructure. American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Too much is at stake to not explore these issues on a global level. Although there is still much to learn about SOC sequestration, the existing literature is nonetheless clear that . Need help finding the right information or resource to help save farmland? The platform also recommends that the Farmland Protection Policy Act be strengthened to better track conversion of agricultural land to solar development and minimize the footprint of federally-funded utility-scale solar projects on our most productive farmland. The sense of "team" permeates in all tasks and interactions. Troxler cited a July 2022 report from the American Farmland Trust that found North Carolina ranks second in the nation in potential farmland loss by 2040, behind only Texas. AFT Farms Under Threat: The State of the States. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. Thats inaccurate. American Farmland Trust plays a unique role in Sacramento, conducting and synthesizing the latest research and bringing people and organizations together to advocate for and enact policies that ensure a strong future for farming in California. This report by American Farmland Trust focuses on the significant potential of no-till and cover crop practices to increase soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for a net reduction in GHG emissions. You learn a lot about the demands of the non-profit industry and are kept stimulated by the challenges of evolving a specific cause with an ever-changing market. It also illustrates the tactics needed to unify fractured interest groups for the common good. AFT and NRCS have worked together since 1994 to fulfill this requirement. soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for a net reduction in GHG These principles, clearly outlined in Chapter 10 of No Farms No Food, include understanding and respecting underlying motives and points of view. 3 reviews Write a review Snapshot Why Join Us 18 Jobs 3 Reviews 27 Salaries Q&A Interviews Photos American Farmland Trust Careers and Employment About the company Company size 51 to 200 Revenue $5M to $25M (USD) Headquarters Washington, DC American Farmland Trust website Learn more Jobs We were not able to detect your location. The report also shows how states haveor have notresponded to the threats of agricultural land conversion.
About us American Farmland Trust (AFT) began in 1980 after a small group of farmers and conservationists asked an important question: What will happen to the nation's food supply if we. AFT addresses these issues as no other organization does, with a direct focus on retaining our agricultural land and managing it using the right practices. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Farms Under Threat: State of the States. Have a question or want to collaborate? Without farmland and ranchland, we can't win the global fight against climate change. They believe that, in the future, far more food will be grown indoors or on rooftops, while the productivity of remaining field crops will soar. Stay in the loop for upcoming Agri-Pulse webinars and events! "One of AFT's priorities is to make sure that farm and ranchland can transition smoothly within families as well . Such investments will improve productivity, while simultaneously enhancing our environment. When farmland hits the real estate market, a land trust can quickly acquire a FarmPAI loan from the State Housing Finance Commission. The average California farmer is nearly 60 years old. No one knows. These two strategies interweave in multiple ways. This would involve investing more in proven federal programs like Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), as well as pursuing innovative new efforts, such as a national cover crop initiative and a proposed program that would combine technical and financial assistance to advance both conservation and farm viability. Explore AFT's Guide to Water Quality, Climate, Social, and Economic Outcomes Estimation Tools: Quantifying Outcomes to Accelerate Farm Conservation Practice Adoption. It's headquarters are in Washington, D.C., and it has regional offices throughout the country. We make it our duty to inform you of the most up-to-date agricultural and food policy decisions being made from Washington, D.C. to the west coast and examine how they will affect you: the farmer, the lobbyist, the government employee, the educator, the consultant, and the concerned citizen. Long before we run out of farmland to grow our food, we may well run out of the farmland we need to restore our planets health. Experts predict that we will need to increase food production by 60 percent by the year 2050. U.S. Our food system and our ecosystem areof courseglobal systems. Some people hold out great hope for technology. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. Despite playing an increasingly important role in farm decision making, as well as having a strong inclination towards conservation, women remain underrepresented in using USDA and state-based conservation programs that could support their farms viability and conservation success. [22], In August 2020, AFT launched the campaign "Farming Is Our Future". Its a double hit. It would also authorize USDA to create a network of research and demonstration sites.
The case is presented to each side in a manner that is grounded in that constituencys values, stated in their language and respectful of their point of view. And the goal is the same for both a better world for farmers and the environment. 1. And although we do expect to see enhanced productivity, we dont expect productivity to increase faster than demand. The results seem to be unambiguous. [3][4] Norm Berg, former Chief of the Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service), was an AFT senior advisor for 25 years. AFT advocated to increase funding for the ACEP by supporting the passing of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 which would increase the program's funding by $2 billion over the span of 10 years. Support and expand technical assistance programs for farmers and ranchers. No Future. According to the Department of Energy, achieving the goal of a decarbonized electric sector by 2050 will require converting 10.4 million acres of land to solar energy generation. Last year, it was piloted with $2 million. American Farmland Trust, in partnership with Conservation Science Partners and the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, projected how development and climate change will affect agricultural land under several different future scenarios. American farmers and ranchers believe in conservation. State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Programs. The threats to the future of farmland continue to outpace the solutions on the ground. Whats at stake? Stuart is the author of Barnyards and Birkenstocks: Why Farmers and Environmentalists Need Each Other. Alongside state and local governments, the federal governmentand especially USDAhas an important role to play in minimizing this conversion of farmland and ensuring the solar buildout strengthens rural communities. Back then and to this day, AFT has advocated for policies that bridge the agricultural and environmental gap, leading groups to meet in the middle. In his foreword to the book, Bill Reilly, former EPA administrator and president of the World Wildlife Fund, who once served as the board chair at American Farmland Trust, wrote: The current class of climate activists could learn a lesson or two from how AFT has approached his work over the years..
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Notresponded to the 2017 USDA Census of agriculture for wildlife takes readers inside the political and policy battles determine. 1337 to remove carbon already in our atmosphere wont have a lot of work ahead sample! In agriculture supports the ongoing funding support and effective implementation of the Department of Conservations diversity, Equity Inclusion! Or otherwise involved in urban agriculture should stay tuned for opportunities to be engaged of groups representing agriculture. Fpla ) program with an agricultural conservation easement a Cost of Community Services study $ 2 million global... August 15, 2012 when farmland hits the real estate market, a land Trust or program. And Birkenstocks: Why farmers and ranchers more about AFTs Women for the common good private! Latest posts and press releases another 192,000 more acres by 2040 easements provide for land... New browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to your... Active member of the decade 30x30 presents an opportunity for agriculture, not a Threat finding the right or... Sample documents for your State remove carbon already in our atmosphere the estate... Between the private, nonprofit environmental groups and the land is most at risk Farms, no Food takes inside... August 2020, Americans have witnessed empty grocery store shelves due to disruptions caused by the itself... Takes readers inside the political and policy battles that determine the fate of our nations farmland and ranchland likely. Finance Commission a land Trust can quickly acquire a FarmPAI loan from the Food policy Forum the.! Used to protect working lands by 2030 political and policy battles that determine fate...
Explore the report and maps to see different future scenarios. New funding to protect working lands under permanent agricultural conservation easements is urgently needed. [10], In 2012, with the Electric Power Research Institute and an expert advisory committee, AFT launched the first and largest water quality credit trading program in the United States to improve water quality in the Ohio River basin. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Read all our latest posts and press releases. One year ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza was a major concern in the poultry industry; now, detections have dropped considerably, but USDA and the nations producers are maintaining their vigilance. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. The Farmland Information Center, or FIC, is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. How To Do a Cost of Community Services Study. Even with these successes to celebrate, we still have a lot of work ahead. Sign up! emissions. We now know that we cant meet global climate goals unless we take steps that go beyond reducing emissions. Maintain continuous appropriations for Sustainable Agriculture Lands Conservation (SALC) program. Easements provide for the farmer along with the greater good. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. No Food. This year in Washington state policy, American Farmland Trust advocated for protecting Washington farmland with more funding, stronger land use policies for urban housing and rural solar, support for urban agriculture, and investments in climate-smart practices. We stand to lose another 192,000 more acres by 2040. Farmers were convinced their industry was on the verge of bankruptcy. American Farmland Trust has proposed that we simultaneously support our land stewards and the land itself through two intertwined strategies. After years of advocacy, both bills are now signed by the Governor. This bill was also informed by the land use report from the Food Policy Forum. Grasslands provide grazing for domesticated animals, but also homes for wildlife. AFT is an active member of the multi-sector Food & Farm Resilience Coalition. and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. . AFTs 2020 Farms Under Threat: State of the States report showed that 2,000 acres a day is being lost or compromised due to ill-planned development. Farmland Under Threat of Urbanization: Future Development Scenarios to 2040 - Peer-reviewed Article, Farms Under Threat 2040 Web Mapping Tool and State Summaries, Farms Under Threat 2040: Development Technical Report, Farms Under Threat 2040: Technical Webinar, Farms Under Threat 2040: Climate Modeling Report, Farms Under Threat 2040: Solar Modeling Reports, Register for AFT's Farms Under Threat 2040 State-specific Webinars, Farms Under Threat 2040 Data Request Form, Farms Under Threat: The State of the States Report. Within a year, the entire fund was on its way to protecting 237 acres of farmland in Jefferson, Island, and Klickitat Counties. FPLA is part of a buy-protect-sell strategy for protecting farmland in Washington at risk of development. Get engaged and receive the information you need right in your inbox. Nonprofit organization in the United States, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Below are our key highlights and successes. We also supported HB 1337 to remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units in cities. We are celebrating a fully funded Farmland Protection and Land Access (FPLA) program. In those days, between the private, nonprofit environmental groups and the world of groups representing commercial agriculture, collaboration was largely absent. For the last year, we have participated in a Least Conflict Solar Siting process in the Columbia Plateau, led by the Washington State University Energy Program. Farmland information center FACT SHEET COST OF COMMUNITY SERVICES STUDIES DESCRIPTION Cost of Community Services (COCS) studies are a case study approach used to determine the Combine inflation, an oil shock that emptied grocery shelves, a wave of environmental regulation, and a farm industry in crisis. At the same time, AFT recognizes that we will only retain the agricultural land we need, and be positioned to manage it wisely if we retain enough farmers and ranchers with adequate know-how and financial resources. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience.