Farmland Preservation

1
Farmland Preservation

• Protecting Our Way of Life, Ensuring our Future,
• Saving Our Heritage

2
Farmland Preservation Our Agricultural Roots

• Indiana has always been a farming state
• Second in the nation in the amount of prime
  farmland
• 1st in ducks 2nd in popcorn, ice cream and
  tomatoes 4th in soybeans 5th in corn and hogs
• Hoosier farms supply food for their neighbors and
  for people all around the globe
• 15 million acres of farmland

3
Farmland Preservation How Much Weve Already
Lost

• In 1890, there was around 22 million acres of
  farmland in Indianawe have developed nearly 1/3
  of that since
• 50 of farmland owned by those nearing
  retirement, meaning that half of Hoosier farmland
  will change hands in the next 10-15 years
• According to the Indianapolis Star, the best
  farmland is being developed three to four times
  faster than non-producing or marginal farmland.

4
Farmland Preservation How Much Weve Already
Lost

• From 1992-1997, we ranked 1 in the nation in the
  amount of agricultural land developed
• Every hour, our state loses more than 10 acres of
  farmland, over 80,000 per year
• We are ranked 7th in the nation for losing the
  most farmland between 1997-2002
• Each year more than 100,000 acres of Indiana
  farmland is converted to non-farm uses, that is
  equivalent to losing an area approximately half
  the size of Brown County every year

5
Farmland Preservation Why save farmland?

• National Economy and World Food Supply
• Protection of the Environment
• Fresh, Healthy Food and Strong Communities
• Fiscal Stability for Local Governments

6
Farmland Preservation What Other States Are
Doing

• Many states have implemented programs to ensure
  land be used for agricultural purposes
• Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and many other states
  have programs to protect farmland
• These programs have saved over 1.3 million acres
  of farmland

7
Farmland Preservation What Other States Are
Doing
8
Farmland Preservation Taking Advantage of
Federal Funds

• Farm and Ranch Protection Program (FRPP)
• Has protected over 270,000 acres of farmland in
  43 states
• Voluntary Federal program to help maintain land
  for agricultural use
• Administered by the Natural Resources
  Conservation Service (NRCS)

9
Farmland Preservation Taking Advantage of
Federal Funds

• Provides matching funds up to 50 of the fair
  market easement value to help purchase
  development rights
• USDA announced recently there will be 70 million
  available for farmland preservation
• State and local governments, private or
  non-profit groups, or others are responsible for
  acquiring the other 50
• Map shows how states are taking advantage of this
  program
• Illinois received 1.2 million matching funds
• Ohio over 2 million
• Michigan 1.6 million
• Kentucky 1.9 million
• Indiana 0

10
Losing Federal Funding
11
Losing Federal Funding
12
Farmland Preservation Taking Advantage of
Federal Funds

• One recent article on the topic titled, Indiana,
  get serious about Farmland Preservation!, stated
  after explaining the millions in federal funding
  going to other states, Indiana, however, for the
  10th straight year, will let the program pass it
  by yet again.

13
Farmland Preservation State Initiatives

• As of June 2005, 27 states have laws authorizing
  state-level purchase of agricultural conservation
  easements
• This program has protected over 1.3 million in
  farmland at a cost of 2.7 billion

14
Farmland PreservationWho are the players?

• The Farmer
• Developers
• Local and State Governments
• Apprehension of Taxpayers
• Public

15
Farmland PreservationSo, what do we do?

• Public Education and Awareness
• Educate farmers
• Build on momentum of tonights program
• Develop a program

16
Farmland PreservationSo, what do we do?

• HARRISON COUNTY, INDIANA
• ORDINANCE NO. 2006 - _____
• AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE HARRISON COUNTY LAND
  CONSERVATION PROGRAM
• WHEREAS, the conservation of farmland and other
  non-developed land is an important aspect in
  retaining the scenic beauty and rural nature of
  the local environment that has made Harrison
  County a great place to live, and
• WHEREAS, the institution of a land conservation
  program is an important tool in protecting such
  land from sprawling development so that it will
  remain available to support the local
  agricultural economy, and
• WHEREAS, it is desired to create such a program
  to 1) foster and support the conservation of land
  through easements, donations and any other means
  that become available, and 2) make federal,
  state or local conservation grants accessible to
  interested property owners in the county and
• WHEREAS, the establishment of a land conservation
  program is in the best interest of the citizens
  of Harrison County now and for future
  generations
• THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE HARRISON COUNTY
  COMMISSIONERS THAT THE HARRISON COUNTY
  CONSERVATION PROGRAM IS HEREBY CREATED AS
  FOLLOWS
• HARRISON COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM

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Farmland PreservationSo, what do we do?

• A Farm in Bartholomew County will be protected
  forever due to the owners recently purchasing a
  conservation easement and donating it to the
  Sycamore Land Trust.

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Farmland PreservationSo, what do we do?

• Tax credits
• Allow income tax credits for the value of
  conservation easements

19
Farmland PreservationSo, what do we do?

• Allow State to Develop Program to allow local
  governments or non-governmental organizations to
  apply for the 25 match to get the federal money
• The other 25 would be donated by landowner to
  show dedication to the program

20
Farmland PreservationLegislation to Aid Our
Efforts

• SB 362 in 2004
• Would have frozen assessed value of farmland
• House Bill in 2006 attempted to appropriate 5
  million from state general fund to start a county
  farmland protection fund.
• Lack of interest and lack of funds led to their
  demise

21
Farmland PreservationWhere to go from here

• Remember Indianas Agricultural Roots
• Realize the importance of this problem
• Take advantage of federal funding programs
• As we discussed, we need to educate the publicit
  wont be seriously addressed until people realize
  its a serious issue
• We need to work together to develop a program
  that can appease all players