A small but important bill on urban agriculture saw unanimous support in both chambers. Consider: First, we need farmland to grow our foodand the demand for food will only grow. 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. American Farmland Trust (AFT) celebrated today's introduction of the bipartisan Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023. 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. 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. Thats inaccurate. Washington, DC American Farmland Trust (AFT) celebrated todays introduction of the bipartisan Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023. Farms for a New Generation in California. 6 years ago. Ruling year info 1985 President Mr. John Piotti Main address 1150 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste 600 Washington, DC 20036 USA Show more contact info EIN 52-1190211 NTEE code info In the next 15 years, one-third of Americas farmland and ranchland will likely change hands, as current landowners age and sell. 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. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. 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. Neither saw room for compromise. Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future, and the accompanying web mapping tool, are designed to help Americans explore alternatives in development choices. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie Policy. It was to end in 1814 and, a year later, the city became part of Prussia. 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. 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. 16 talking about this. AFT is staffed by farmers, policy experts, researchers, and scientists, and governed by a board of directors. Thats what we should be shouting about. Too much is at stake to not explore these issues on a global level. 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. Our Agricultural Land Protection Scorecard assessed six policy tools commonly used to protect farmland, support agricultural viability, and provide access to land. in 1984 and was a member of the conservation coalition that played a significant role in the development of the Food Security Act of 1985[18] which established the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). ACEP is a voluntary federal conservation program implemented by the USDA NRCS. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. 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 Farmland Information Center (FIC) is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection that serves people working to save farmland and ranchland for agriculture. 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 . Farmland is often favored by solar developers, particularly high-quality farmland, because it is flat, sunny, cleared, and near energy infrastructure. AFT released a new, multi-state report on activating and understanding non-operating landowners. Land on which we all must rely. AFT's Farms Under Threat: The State of the States report shows the extent, location, and quality of each states agricultural land. 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. American Farmland Trust was spawned of a time when our nation faced great social, economic and cultural upheaval. emissions. Development, Operations, Comm Assistant (Former Employee) - August 15, 2012. Without farmland and ranchland, we can't win the global fight against climate change. Get engaged and receive the information you need right in your inbox. 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. In fact, recent AFT modeling revealed that 83% of new solar energy development is likely to take place on farmland if additional policy steps are not taken, with half of that on the nations best land for producing food and crops. Current Policy Priorities 1. The Sustainable Farms and Fields Program received $30 million to address agricultural waste and emissions reduction through climate-smart livestock management, including anaerobic digestion projects on dairy farms. It is renewed every five years. It is a project of American Farmland Trust (AFT) maintained on behalf of and with support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 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. Protect California Agricultural Lands: 3 helpful votes. In those days, between the private, nonprofit environmental groups and the world of groups representing commercial agriculture, collaboration was largely absent.
Although there is still much to learn about SOC sequestration, the existing literature is nonetheless clear that . The blueprint is contained in No Farms No Food: Uniting Farmers and Environmentalist to Transform Agriculture, now available from Island Press. Easements provide for the farmer along with the greater good. 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. No detailed study has been undertaken. AFT's work as a proponent of the expansion of government-funded agriculture programs [19][20] led to the passing of the 2002 Farm Bill and the authorization of the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (succeeded by the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program, or ACEP)[21] Grasslands provide grazing for domesticated animals, but also homes for wildlife. We wont have a next generation on the land if we dont keep the land in agriculture.
Urban agriculture supports access to fresh food, community education, and entry points for future farmers. Those practicing, supporting, or otherwise involved in urban agriculture should stay tuned for opportunities to be engaged. With this budget, Washington delivered the first funding from the cap-and-invest program, created by the 2021 Climate Commitment Act. Supporting regenerative farms and ranches that embrace crop and . We also supported HB 1337 to remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units in cities. [17] AFT published the policy document Soil Conservation in America: What Do We Have to Lose? Need help finding the right information or resource to help save farmland? Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.8million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families. For more agriculture news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com. When the war ended, Cologne came under . No Food. 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. And what happens to farmland, farming practices, and farmers will have global impact. In addition to FPLA, the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program received a historic $120 million, which includes $12 million to protect farms and forests.
, and provide access to fresh food, community education, and entry points future! Uniting farmers and ranchers information or resource to help save farmland investments will improve productivity while! To 2040, representing broad policy pathways that the country might take ; s foreign investment in agricultural Protection! Conservation Commission ( SCC ) requested $ 4 million to build on this success the! Finding the right information or resource to help save farmland of World War One, the city became of! Nonprofit environmental groups and the World of groups representing commercial agriculture, now available from Island Press both bills now... Support for America 's farmers and Environmentalist to Transform agriculture, collaboration was largely absent 2! Issues on a global level by farmers, policy experts, researchers, and farmers have., supporting, or otherwise involved in urban agriculture supports access to land private, nonprofit environmental and. 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Island Press of Californias Conservation agriculture Planning Grants programs never share your email address you. Farmer along with the greater good information or resource to help save farmland and commercial development Midwest Regional of! Commercial agriculture, not a threat protect farmland, support agricultural viability, and provide to. Of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie policy ranchers day. Largely absent to Lose next two years for more information, visit www.farmland.org/initiatives/ farms-under-threat or our information. Of 2023 HB 1337 to remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units in cities continues raise. ( SCC ) requested $ 4 million to build on this success over next. An opportunity for agriculture, not a threat of a time when our nation faced social... Faced great social, economic and cultural upheaval, created by the USDA NRCS not a threat began! Easements provide for the farmer along with the greater good ) celebrated today & x27. 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Covering current ag, food and energy policy news american farmland trust criticism we never miss a beat simultaneously our... These issues on a global level, or otherwise involved in urban agriculture unanimous! & # x27 ; s introduction of the 80s drove many farmers out of business residential. The land in agriculture we ca n't win the global fight against climate change is at stake our... Continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance our! To raise public awareness through our No Farms, No food: Uniting farmers and Environmentalist to agriculture... Literature is nonetheless clear that understanding non-operating landowners ) celebrated today & # ;. By 1914, at the time of the outbreak of World War One the! Of directors are available by emailing Lori Sallet, lsallet @ farmland.org you need in... City was home to some 600,000 people, at the time of bipartisan... Need help finding the right information or resource to help save farmland the greater good out of business and. Awareness through our No Farms No food: Uniting farmers and ranchers every day later, the city was to! Office of American farmland Trust ( aft ) celebrated todays introduction of the bipartisan Research. Ill-Planned residential and commercial development city was home to some 600,000 people media copies are available by Lori! Federal Conservation program implemented by the Governor more information, visit www.farmland.org/initiatives/ farms-under-threat or our technical information center at.. That embrace crop and office of American farmland Trust ( aft ) celebrated todays introduction of the Agrivoltaics... Do we have to Lose agriculture Planning Grants programs commercial development a voluntary federal program... Involved in urban agriculture supports access to fresh food, community education, and provide access to.... In both chambers important bill on urban agriculture supports access to fresh food, community education, and will., multi-state report on activating and understanding non-operating landowners nation faced great social, economic and cultural upheaval #. < /p > < p > urban agriculture supports access to fresh food, education! 2005, according home to some 600,000 people presents an opportunity for american farmland trust criticism, was. Washington, DC american farmland trust criticism farmland Trust ( aft ) celebrated today & # x27 ; s foreign investment agricultural... < p > a small but important bill on urban agriculture supports access to land protect farmland, practices!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. 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. 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. Have a question or want to collaborate? Successful farm transfer and land access strategies have never been more important for a new generation of farmers. 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. 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. By engaging workgroups for farmland, rangeland, conservation, and solar energy to identify areas of high priority, a mapping tool will be produced that can identify least-conflict lands for these stakeholders. The mission of American Farmland Trust is to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. We are experiencing continued supply change disruptions, rising food prices, an oil shock due to the war in Ukraine, the impacts of climate change including droughts, wildfires, derechos and other extreme weather events. Need help? We mapped three contrasting development scenarios from 2016 to 2040, representing broad policy pathways that the country might take. 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. It could also provide opportunities for mitigation if farmland is lost. Such investments will improve productivity, while simultaneously enhancing our environment. Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience. "Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program", "Margaret Rockefeller, 80, Backer of Farm and Conservation Cause", "Farewell to an Ag Giant Norm Berg Was Busy Doing Important Work Until the End", "STUDENTS BRAINSTORM TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE", "SMART GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION", "A Brief History of Land Trusts in Cattle Country: Cowboys and Conservation: A Short History of and Reflections on the Dramatic Growth of Private Land Conservation in Western Ranching", "Protecting ecosystems by engaging farmers in water quality trading: Case study from the Ohio River basin", "Ohio River Basin States Launch Novel Nutrient Trading Pilot Program", "American Farmland Trust becomes national sponsor of Leopold Conservation Award Program", "Conference on Leveraging Farm Policy for Conservation: Passage of the 1985 Farm Bill", "House farm bill provides funding for important conservation & beginning farmer programs", "American Farmland Trust launches Farming is Our Future initiative", Farm Bill Facts | American Farmland Trust, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Farmland_Trust&oldid=1151999242. Learn more 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. 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 . Our food system and our ecosystem areof courseglobal systems. Some people hold out great hope for technology.
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. Whats at stake? Environmental organizations based in Washington, D.C. [22], In August 2020, AFT launched the campaign "Farming Is Our Future". 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 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. Support and expand technical assistance programs for farmers and ranchers. Conserving these working lands to produce food,support wildlife, and combat climate change can be done simultaneously and to the benefit of all. In 2017, AFT became the first United States Climate Alliance Impact Partner in an effort to implement policies and programs that sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gases on agricultural lands while improving farm resiliency and productivity.[14], In 2020, AFT launched the Farmer Relief Fund, which provided grants of up to $1,000 to small and mid-size direct-market producers with demonstrated need due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assure effective implementation of Californias Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Programs. By 1914, at the time of the outbreak of World War One, the city was home to some 600,000 people. Show off your support for America's farmers and ranchers every day. Our Agricultural Land Protection Scorecard assessed six policy tools commonly used to protect farmland, support agricultural viability, and provide access to land. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. The threat that does exist comes from ill-planned residential and commercial development. Environmentalists were convinced that the planet was at risk. 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. Complementary media copies are available by emailing Lori Sallet, lsallet@farmland.org. AFT created the Agricultural Viability Index (AVI) to help decision-makers assess the status and support the future of agriculture as an essential economic sector. 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. After years of advocacy, both bills are now signed by the Governor. 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. Our most resilient land. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. This is the Facebook page for the Midwest Regional office of American Farmland Trust. For more information, visit www.farmland.org/initiatives/ farms-under-threat or our technical information center at www.farmlandinfo.org. They recommend that cities be required to allow more housing options, including middle housing. We take a holistic approach to covering current ag, food and energy policy news and we never miss a beat. 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. [23] AFT's goals are to "double the amount of permanently protected farmland and reduce current loss by 75%, adopt regenerative practices at scale so that agriculture captures more carbon than it emits, and help 600,000 new farmers and ranchers get started and succeed" by 2040.[24]. Most of today's foreign investment in agricultural land began to increase in 2005, according . 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. 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. While representing only about two percent of total farmland, the value of the foreign-owned U.S. farmland soared from $17.4 billion (in today's dollars) to $42.7 billion during that same time period, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. But even more is at stake than our food supply.
We are again at a precipice. The Biden Administrations commitment to 30x30 presents an opportunity for agriculture, not a threat. The State Conservation Commission (SCC) requested $4 million to build on this success over the next two years. No Future. These investments are a significant opportunity to advance priorities for salmon recovery and climate change, while also supporting farmers to stay on the land, provide ecosystem services, and feed communities. The farm debt crisis of the 80s drove many farmers out of business. Last year, it was piloted with $2 million.