Ag News

Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund applications now open

On Feb. 20, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced the opening of the inaugural round of applications for the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund. The program was created at the direction of Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and in coordination with the Georgia General Assembly to permanently protect Georgia farmland from development by assisting with the purchase of conservation easements.

The fund was established in 2023 by Senate Bill 220 in collaboration with Harper and industry partners to protect Georgia farmland. Applications for the first round of easement purchases will be accepted until May 20. Complete information, including a  link to the application, can be found at https://agr.georgia.gov/georgia-farmland-conservation-fund-program.

“Ensuring Georgia’s No. 1 industry remains prosperous is essential to the economic success and security of our entire state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “That’s why I was proud to sign SB 220 and join with our agriculture and legislative partners in creating this program to help preserve our critical farmland for generations.”

The program will enable selected Georgia farmers to voluntarily protect their farms by providing financial assistance to extend conservation objectives. Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocates $450 million every year to match dollars within state farmland conservation programs.

“I appreciate Commissioner Harper’s leadership on farmland protection and keeping Georgia farmland in production,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall. “This program will go a long way in preserving family farms for the future generation. As farmers, the land we farm is not ours, we are just borrowing it from our children and grandchildren until they get to farm it one day. That is what this program is about – ensuring that family farms are still around for our grandchildren.”

At the state level, the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program will be funded by appropriations designated by the state legislature, as well as public or private grants, dedicated gifts, and donations.

The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program will make those funds available annually to prospective qualified easement holders who have a project proposal that has been reviewed by the GDA and selected by the Georgia Farmland Conservation Council. The primary purpose of these prospective projects will be the conservation of farmlands that are threatened by development and the support of active farming and food production in this state.

 “With Georgia on pace to lose more nearly 800,000 acres of farmland by 2040, it is absolutely essential that we take decisive action to protect our state’s number one industry and the Georgia farm families who fuel its success”, Harper said. “I was proud to lead the charge to create and fund the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund to help Georgia farmers protect their land from development, and I strongly encourage all interested farmers to apply.”

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