Jim Moseley, former USDA Deputy Secretary, serve on AFT's board of directors. American Farmland Trust launched the conservation agriculture movement and has been bringing agriculture and the environment together since 1980. American Farmland Trust's new report used spatial mapping analyses of agricultural land conversion to provide unprecedented insights into the status and fate of American farmland. 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. This criticism has lost some credibility, however, because many studies have been conducted in a wide range of communities nationally. The Administration has made it clear that any effort to conserve private land will be voluntary. John Piotti has worked at the forefront of sustainable agriculture since the early 1990s, first in his home state of Maine, and now nationally. The first strategy is to significantly increase the amount of funding for ACEP, making it possible for more of the landowners who wish to sell an easement to do so. For more information, visit www.farmland.org/initiatives/ farms-under-threat or our technical information center at www.farmlandinfo.org. [5] Otto C. Doering III, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,[6] won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize[7]. Farmers are on the frontlines and all of us who eat will continue to be impacted if we dont help drive change. Thats because we also need farmland to restore our planet. This is a very inclusive place to work. Although there is still much to learn about SOC sequestration, the existing literature is nonetheless clear that . The threat that does exist comes from ill-planned residential and commercial development. Supporting regenerative farms and ranches that embrace crop and . In this opinion piece, Northwest Missouri farmer Blake Hurst discusses the recent Supreme Court decisions and their impact on producers around the country. This bill was also informed by the land use report from the Food Policy Forum. 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). We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. Experts predict that we will need to increase food production by 60 percent by the year 2050. With this budget, Washington delivered the first funding from the cap-and-invest program, created by the 2021 Climate Commitment Act. 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. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. The second strategy is to enhance targeted conservation practices on at least 25 percent of additional working lands by 2030. Prioritize siting on the built environment and marginal land, Safeguard the ability for land to be used for agriculture, Grow agrivoltaics for agricultural production and solar energy. 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. We need to remove carbon already in our atmosphere. With all the pressures impacting agriculture and our environment, including the changing climate, 2028 will be too late to implement what is now urgent. We now know that we cant meet global climate goals unless we take steps that go beyond reducing emissions. To explore our maps, policy scorecard, and background data use the links below to visit our interactive website. 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. AFT was one of the first agricultural land trusts in the nation and is the only one with a national scope. American farmers and ranchers believe in conservation. Support and expand technical assistance programs for farmers and ranchers. [11][12], AFT leads Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) which connects New York farms to publicly-funded institutions in the state. And what happens to farmland, farming practices, and farmers will have global impact. 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. American Farmland Trust New York Regional Director Erica Goodman has been named director of the Farms for a New Generation program, where she will play a critical role to usher in a diverse new generation of farmers and ranchers to access land and help to transform agriculture. We applaud Senator Heinrich and Senator Braun for their forward-thinking leadership in introducing this bill, said Tim Fink, Policy Director for American Farmland Trust. Need help? American Farmland Trust. This is an essential read for everyone who cares about the future of our food, farms and environment. A small but important bill on urban agriculture saw unanimous support in both chambers. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. 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. American Farmland Trust (AFT) celebrated today's introduction of the bipartisan Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023. If included in the Farm Bill, Fink said, the Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act would secure USDAs role in advancing this innovation alongside the Department of Energy, AFT, and other partners across the country. Land on which we all must rely. This bill was recently signed into law by the California governor. Permanent protection is our best hope for stemming this loss. Encourage consistent demographics data collection in tracking the use of state conservation programs. We depend on this farmland to feed the growing population. $ 17.00. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is a case in point, with program funds only able to serve a small fraction of overall need. But as we reflect on the progress made towards protecting Washington farmland this year, we are feeling extra grateful for the food on our plates. 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. New funding to protect working lands under permanent agricultural conservation easements is urgently needed. Sign up today and join the movement to save the land that sustains us all. Since early 2020, Americans have witnessed empty grocery store shelves due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. 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. Complementary media copies are available by emailing Lori Sallet, lsallet@farmland.org. Its a double hit. The results seem to be unambiguous. 1993. AFT report highlights significant potential of no-till and cover crop practices to increase American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1980 to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. When the war ended, Cologne came under . AFT hopes to partner on a larger international study. 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. 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. A farm is not just a farm, a ranch not just a ranch. We are celebrating a fully funded Farmland Protection and Land Access (FPLA) program. Re: Home Base for North Rhine. Westphalia, German Westfalen, historic region of northwestern Germany, comprising a large part of the present federal Land (state) of North Rhine-Westphalia. The ancient Saxons were divided into three main groups: the Westphalians, the Angrians (German: Engern), and the Eastphalians (Ostfalen). More than 70% of urban development across the country took place on farmland, according to American Farmland Trust. 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. Introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), the legislation would establish a framework for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to define and evaluate agrivoltaics to better incorporate the practice of pairing solar energy . Regenerative agricultural practices build soil health, sequester atmospheric carbon into the earth, conserve groundwater resources, and increase biodiversity. With an easement in place, the land is priced at agricultural value, making it more affordable for the next generation, be that the current landowners children or one of the many of ambitious new producers looking to take the first and most challenging step into farming, acquiring land. 16 talking about this. These two strategies interweave in multiple ways. In short, theyre a boon for biodiversity. Successful farm transfer and land access strategies have never been more important for a new generation of farmers. In 2016, he became the president of American Farmland Trust, bringing new energy to this storied organization that helped create the conservation agriculture movement. Without farmland and ranchland, we can't win the global fight against climate change. Sign up! Yet less than one percent of agricultural land is so protected. 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. We wont have a next generation on the land if we dont keep the land in agriculture. [8], AFT helped create state and local land trusts throughout the country including the Colorado Cattlemens Agricultural Land Trust in 1995[9] and the Texas Agricultural Land Trust in 2006. As the essential transition toward renewable energy accelerates across the country, it must be done in a way that strengthens rural communities and minimizes the footprint on our most productive farmland. It directs SCC to convene stakeholders to learn about the challenges and opportunities for urban agriculture. The future demands that we do all we can to (1) protect farmland, (2) promote sound farming practices, and (3) keep farmers on the land. Farms Under Threat: The State of the States, Julia Freedgood, Mitch Hunter, Jennifer Dempsey, Ann Sorenson, Agricultural Statistics, Farmland Protection Overview, Land Use Changes, Why Save Farmland. Find a land trust or public program to protect your farm and ranch land. In the 1980s, national concerns about the environment and urban sprawl, and the prospect of regulatory approaches to addressing these concerns, was met by strong opposition from an already struggling farm community. Our Agricultural Land Protection Scorecard assessed six policy tools commonly used to protect farmland, support agricultural viability, and provide access to land. John Piotti, president of American Farmland Trust, talks about AFT's latest report looking at the risks to non-irrigated crop production because of climate change unless more aggressive strategies . Caskey says the countrys energy policy is also a concern and approval of the Next Generation Fuels Act is key to farmers and rural America. We also supported HB 1337 to remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units in cities. It would also authorize USDA to create a network of research and demonstration sites. 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. 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. The pump ran for several days, emptying out roughly two million litres (440,000 gallons) of water - reportedly enough to irrigate 6 sq km (600 hectares) of farmland. 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. Senator Lindsey Graham disputed Russian criticism of his support for Ukraine on Sunday, saying he had simply praised the spirit of Ukrainians in resisting a Russian invasion with assistance . Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. We take a holistic approach to farmland and ranchland, protecting it from development, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on it. Whether were in the halls of Congress or the fields of Illinois, AFT puts farmers first. Learn more and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Have a question or want to collaborate? 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. No Food. 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. The Farmland Information Center (FIC) is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. Our best soils for sequestering carbon. The Washington Soil Health Initiative received $582,000 to implement a science-based, voluntary program called Saving Tomorrows Agricultural Resources (STAR), which will provide producers tools to track soil health improvements and the ability to generate market-based incentives. We must again reshape the Farm Bill to re-incentivize farmland protection and farming practices that foster productivity, profitability and above all a healthy planet where food is abundant and affordable. The state has lost about 2,000 farms with cropland since 1992, according to the . AFT supports the ongoing funding support and effective implementation of the Department of Conservations. April 14th, 2022 By Lori Sallet American Farmland Trust's No Farms No Food History Never More Relevant as Policy Makers Consider 2023 Farm Bill New book on the organization's history shares why uniting farmers, trade groups and the environmental community is critical to a much-needed revolutionary Farm Bill Urban agriculture supports access to fresh food, community education, and entry points for future farmers. [13], AFT promotes farming practices that improve soil health as a way to bring about multiple environmental benefits including carbon sequestration. American Farmland Trust led a sea change, building a coalition that reshaped the relationship between American agriculture and the broader environment movement. Whether it be new developments in international trade, organic foods, farm credit and loan policies, or climate change legislation, we keep you abreast of the information you need to stay on the cutting edge. 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. Having led the conservation agriculture movement for four decades, AFT is all too aware of how much work remains to be done. By putting a spotlight on the power of both permanent land protection and enhanced conservation practices, 30x30 could generate more funding for voluntary incentive-based programs that would really help Americas farmers and ranchers. Protect California Agricultural Lands: The Westphalians, who had settled in the area of the Ems and Hunte rivers about 700 ce, spread . AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. We suspect that the vast bulk of our food will continue to be grown on farmland. Too much is at stake to not explore these issues on a global level. Funding for easements for protecting farmland in Washington will go a lot further when we reduce the pressure to develop rural land. In addition to FPLA, the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program received a historic $120 million, which includes $12 million to protect farms and forests. 100% of proceeds from the sales of our gear support American Farmland Trust! Join AFTs book release event on April 19th, 7:30PM PT, in person in Seattle WA, or virtually. It is a project of American Farmland Trust (AFT) maintained on behalf of and with support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In a report on land use policy solutions to protect farmland, the Washington Food Policy Forum recognized urban infill housing as a critical strategy. 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. We take a holistic approach to farmland and ranchland, protecting it from development, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on it. Neither saw room for compromise. 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. soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for a net reduction in GHG Crop and introduction of the first agricultural land is so protected media copies are available by emailing Lori Sallet lsallet. 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