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American Farmland Trust

Farms and Historic Preservation: Planning for an Agricultural Future Gerry Cohn American Farmland Trust Organic Valley. American Farmland Trust. National non-profit organization, founded in 1980. 50,000 members nationwide

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American Farmland Trust

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  1. Farms and Historic Preservation:Planning for an Agricultural FutureGerry CohnAmerican Farmland TrustOrganic Valley

  2. American Farmland Trust • National non-profit organization, founded in 1980. 50,000 members nationwide • Protecting working lands, planning for agriculture, and keeping the land healthy • Education, policy advocacy, and land projects • Farm Bill

  3. Farming on the Edge

  4. Why are we losing farmland? Greater competition for land Prices rising Farm Economy is changing Fewer Acres Fewer Farmers More residents, more taxes New residents, new conflicts

  5. Farmland Protection Toolbox • Differential Taxation • Right to Farm Laws • Land Use Planning • Agricultural Protection Zoning • Conservation Easements • Purchase of Development Rights • Transfer of Development Rights • Agricultural Economic Development • Estate Planning / Farm Transition • Agricultural Districts

  6. Planning for Agriculture, not just around it!

  7. Land use policies Economic development programs FARMING IS A BUSINESS Planning for Agriculture

  8. Profitability is Key • Local foods • Grains and biofuels • Grass-fed meat • Recreation: hunting, meetings • Ecosystem services • New farmers: Farm Credit survey • Taking care of family needs

  9. Local Government Tools • Comprehensive and Local FP Plans • Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances • Taxation • Right-to-Farm Laws • Agricultural Districts

  10. Farm Transfer and Estate Planning • Transfer ownership and management of the agricultural operation, land and other assets • Avoid unnecessary transfer taxes (income, gift and estate) • Ensure financial security and peace of mind for all generations • Develop the next generation’s management capacity

  11. Planning for Conservation • Federal • Leveraging $ into your community • Farm Bill opportunities • Alphabet Soup: Access thru local Soil and Water Conservation District office • Local foods, community food security, rural development, etc. • State • NC: Ag Conservation cost share, CREP, CWMTF • Your State: ??

  12. Buncombe County, NC • Cooperative Extension Sustainable Ag Agent • Blue Ridge Food Ventures • $2M annually for PACE • Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project • Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Plan • City Market • Foodtopia • Farm Prosperity and Farmland Values Project

  13. Carroll County, GA • Broad based partnership, led by Rolling Hills RC&D • Active participation in Comp Plan Update • Cotton Mill Farmers Market • Farmers Fresh Food Network • SPLOST referendum (3M for farmland) • Georgia Agricultural Land Trust • New growers school

  14. Purchase of Development Rights orPurchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements • Land protection, liquidity, cash in-flow • 27 state programs • 56 local programs • Farmland Protection Program (federal)

  15. Farmland Protection Program (FPP) • Leveraging federal dollars for farmland protection • USDA pays 50% of value. Landowner can donate 25% of value. 25% cash match required. • Funding increase from 97M in 2008 to 200M in 2012.

  16. FPP Eligibile Lands • The farmland or ranch land must contain at least 50 percent of prime, unique, or locally important soil or contain historic or archaeological sites. • Historic sites: must be listed in historic register or formally be declared eligible.

  17. Possible sources of funding • General obligation and special purpose bonds • Annual appropriations • Real estate transfer taxes • Impact Fees • Present Use Value Program Rollback Taxes • Transportation Enhancement Funds

  18. Creative Funding Sources • Dedicated local sales tax • Farmland conversion mitigation fees • Cellular phone tax • Lottery proceeds • Motel/restaurant tax • Transfer of Development Rights

  19. CT Trust for Historic Preservation • Barns Grant Program • 75 percent cost-share, up to 8K • Conditions Assessment, feasibility study, or historic registration • Funded by General Assembly

  20. MA Community Preservation Act • Allows communities to collect a 1-3% property tax surcharge • Matched with state funds collected through deed recording fee • Can be used for historic preservation, land protection or affordable housing

  21. CT Community Investment Act • Statewide Deed Recording Fee • Funds state agency programs for farmland preservation, historic preservation, affordable housing, and open space • Up to $20 M annually • Building new coalitions

  22. KY Rural Heritage Development Initiative • Multi-year regional collaboration • Farmland protection, historic preservation, agricultural economic development • 2006 Rural Resource Team – land use planning, farm viability, reuse of old buildings • Building new coalitions and putting the pieces together

  23. CROPP Cooperative - Organic Valley • National farmer cooperative - 1200 members • All certified organic dairy, eggs, meat, juice, animal feed, and vegetables • All-farmer board and elected committees • Farmer-determined stable pay price • Organic transition and technical assistance

  24. Sign up for AFT’s E-news and Farm Policy News www.farmland.org

  25. FARMLANDINFORMATIONCENTER www.farmlandinfo.org (800) 370-4879

  26. Gerry Cohn 919-537-8447 gcohn@farmland.org

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