Farmland Trust in Farmland Trust in Stanislaus CountyStanislaus County

Lecture 9Lecture 9

Planning Issues in Agriculture

The Trust’s HistoryThe Trust’s History In 1999, to implement the countywide vision, the In 1999, to implement the countywide vision, the

Supervisors authorized the Chairman of the Board to Supervisors authorized the Chairman of the Board to appoint a committee to study a land conservation program appoint a committee to study a land conservation program for Stanislaus County.for Stanislaus County.

On June 9, 2000, after completing its study, the committee On June 9, 2000, after completing its study, the committee members formed the Stanislaus Farmland Trust (“Trust”) members formed the Stanislaus Farmland Trust (“Trust”) and agreed to serve on a voluntary basis as the founding and agreed to serve on a voluntary basis as the founding Board of the Trust.Board of the Trust.

Non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation.Non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation.

An all-volunteer 11-member Board of Directors, who live An all-volunteer 11-member Board of Directors, who live and work in the Stanislaus County.and work in the Stanislaus County.

In 2005, the Stanislaus Farmland Trust joined with 3 other In 2005, the Stanislaus Farmland Trust joined with 3 other county Farmland Trusts to become the Central Valley county Farmland Trusts to become the Central Valley Farmland TrustFarmland Trust

The Farmland Trusts’ Shared The Farmland Trusts’ Shared Mission and Guiding PrinciplesMission and Guiding Principles

Mission…Mission… Protect farmland primarily through the purchase and Protect farmland primarily through the purchase and

donation of conservation easements from willing donation of conservation easements from willing seller;seller;

Obtain funding to acquire, hold and oversee Obtain funding to acquire, hold and oversee conservation easements; andconservation easements; and

Promote educational programs, policies, projects, and Promote educational programs, policies, projects, and community involvement to protect farmland and community involvement to protect farmland and Stanislaus County’s agricultural economy and Stanislaus County’s agricultural economy and heritage.heritage.

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles Private, non-governmental.Private, non-governmental.

Local Control.Local Control.

Protect Private Property Rights – only Protect Private Property Rights – only voluntary transactions.voluntary transactions.

Promote Policies for Economic Viability Promote Policies for Economic Viability of Agriculture. of Agriculture.

Agriculture Conservation Agriculture Conservation EasementsEasements Property owner agrees to certain restrictions Property owner agrees to certain restrictions

over the type and amount of development.over the type and amount of development.

Property owner receives payment that Property owner receives payment that reflects the difference between the value of reflects the difference between the value of the land without the restrictions of the the land without the restrictions of the agricultural conservation easement and the agricultural conservation easement and the value of the land with such restrictions.value of the land with such restrictions.

Value is based on a formal appraisal.Value is based on a formal appraisal.

And…And… Donation of conservation easements tax Donation of conservation easements tax

deductions and/or tax credits and to deductions and/or tax credits and to minimize estate taxes.minimize estate taxes.

Title remains with the landowner.Title remains with the landowner.

Usually allows any farming activity, the Usually allows any farming activity, the construction of agricultural-related construction of agricultural-related buildings, some housing.buildings, some housing.

““Runs with the land in perpetuity”.Runs with the land in perpetuity”.

Funding SourcesFunding Sources Public, i.e. park bond money under the Public, i.e. park bond money under the

Department of Conservation Farmland Department of Conservation Farmland Conservancy Program.Conservancy Program.

Private: Individual donations and foundations, Private: Individual donations and foundations, i.e. Great Valley Center Ag. Land Transactions i.e. Great Valley Center Ag. Land Transactions Program.Program.

Farm BillFarm Bill

Mitigation Fees (Kaiser)Mitigation Fees (Kaiser)

Guidelines for the Selection ofGuidelines for the Selection ofAgriculture Conservation Agriculture Conservation

Easements By Farmland TrustsEasements By Farmland Trusts

(fairly uniform for most Trusts)(fairly uniform for most Trusts)

Soils…Soils… Farmland evaluated by the California Farmland evaluated by the California

Department of Conservation Farmland Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program as being Mapping and Monitoring Program as being “Prime farmland” or “Farmland of Statewide Significance” will receive the highest priority. will receive the highest priority.

The Farmland Trust might also consider The Farmland Trust might also consider farmland designated as property that has farmland designated as property that has significant value to the regional agricultural significant value to the regional agricultural industry regardless of soil characteristics.industry regardless of soil characteristics.

WaterWater

The property has a dependable The property has a dependable and sustainable supply of high and sustainable supply of high quality water for irrigation.quality water for irrigation.

The property is The property is agriculturally viableagriculturally viable

The land is large enough to sustain The land is large enough to sustain commercial agricultural production.commercial agricultural production.

The property is not substantially surrounded The property is not substantially surrounded by urban development such that its by urban development such that its continued agricultural viability is threatened.continued agricultural viability is threatened.

The property may serve as an effective The property may serve as an effective buffer to further urban development of buffer to further urban development of valued agricultural lands.valued agricultural lands.

Urbanization pressureUrbanization pressure

The property may be subject The property may be subject to urbanization pressure to urbanization pressure within the foreseeable future.within the foreseeable future.

Consistent with Consistent with Community plans and Community plans and goalsgoals Existing community goals, plans, and Existing community goals, plans, and

political boundaries are compatible with political boundaries are compatible with permanent agricultural use of the permanent agricultural use of the property:property:

The property is currently zoned for The property is currently zoned for agriculture.agriculture.

The property is outside the primary sphere The property is outside the primary sphere of influence of a city or a community of influence of a city or a community service district.service district.

Administration Of The Central Administration Of The Central Valley Farmland TrustValley Farmland Trust

Selected BoardSelected Board

Supported by the Great Valley CenterSupported by the Great Valley Center

And the American Farmland Trust And the American Farmland Trust

Both organizations provide Technical and Both organizations provide Technical and some administrative support.some administrative support.

American Farmland TrustAmerican Farmland Trust

American Farmland TrustAmerican Farmland Trust is the only is the only national, nonprofit membership national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting organization dedicated to protecting agricultural resources. agricultural resources.

Founded in 1980, AFT’s mission is to stop Founded in 1980, AFT’s mission is to stop the loss of productive farmland and to the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment.healthy environment.

““American Farmland Trust is the most powerful American Farmland Trust is the most powerful force in the struggle to save our nation’s force in the struggle to save our nation’s farmland…and the organization that’s done farmland…and the organization that’s done the most to preserve the land that sustains a the most to preserve the land that sustains a healthy agricultural economy.”healthy agricultural economy.”

Richard RomingerRichard Rominger Deputy Secretary, Deputy Secretary,

U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture

WHY SAVE FARMLAND?WHY SAVE FARMLAND? America’s farmland is its most productive America’s farmland is its most productive

natural resource. The nearly 1 billion acres of natural resource. The nearly 1 billion acres of land in agricultural use are responsible for:land in agricultural use are responsible for:

Serving as the foundation for our food and Serving as the foundation for our food and fiber industry, which provides jobs for fiber industry, which provides jobs for approximately 20 percent of the work force approximately 20 percent of the work force and contributes $820 billion to the Gross and contributes $820 billion to the Gross National Product.National Product.

Feeding, clothing and housing 250 million Feeding, clothing and housing 250 million people in the United States and millions people in the United States and millions more abroad.more abroad.

Generating a net tax surplus for local Generating a net tax surplus for local economies.economies.

Providing scenic open space, many times just a Providing scenic open space, many times just a short distance from urban areas.short distance from urban areas.

Offering food and habitat for diverse wildlife.Offering food and habitat for diverse wildlife.

Providing recreational and tourist opportunities.Providing recreational and tourist opportunities.

Maintaining municipal watersheds.Maintaining municipal watersheds.

WHY SAVE FARMLAND?WHY SAVE FARMLAND? … …continuedcontinued

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO AMERICA’S WHAT’S HAPPENING TO AMERICA’S AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES?AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES?

Every minute, we lose two acres of productive Every minute, we lose two acres of productive farmland to urban sprawl – shopping malls, farmland to urban sprawl – shopping malls, housing subdivisions and the like. That’s 1 housing subdivisions and the like. That’s 1 million acres annually.million acres annually.

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we’ve lost Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we’ve lost more than 40 million acres of farmland to more than 40 million acres of farmland to development. In North Carolina and Florida, development. In North Carolina and Florida, 283,000 acres of cropland disappear each 283,000 acres of cropland disappear each year. In California it’s 100,000.year. In California it’s 100,000.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO AMERICA’S WHAT’S HAPPENING TO AMERICA’S AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES?...andAGRICULTURAL RESOURCES?...and Each year, we lose 2 billion tons of topsoil to wind Each year, we lose 2 billion tons of topsoil to wind

and water erosion. As many as 1 billion tons wash and water erosion. As many as 1 billion tons wash into nearby waterways, carrying away the Earth’s into nearby waterways, carrying away the Earth’s natural nutrients and any fertilizers and pesticides natural nutrients and any fertilizers and pesticides that have been applied. This can damage water that have been applied. This can damage water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and recreational quality, fish and wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.opportunities.

Purchased fertilizers, pesticides and fuel are straining Purchased fertilizers, pesticides and fuel are straining already tight farm budgets and threatening the already tight farm budgets and threatening the environment. Farmers spend an estimated $8 billion environment. Farmers spend an estimated $8 billion on fertilizers and $6 billion on fuel each year. The on fertilizers and $6 billion on fuel each year. The overuse and misapplication of these inputs can overuse and misapplication of these inputs can threaten the land’s health and a farmer’s profitability.threaten the land’s health and a farmer’s profitability.

AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST: AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST: SAVING THE LAND THAT FEEDS SAVING THE LAND THAT FEEDS AMERICAAMERICA

AFT was founded in 1980 by a group of AFT was founded in 1980 by a group of farmers and conservationists to address the farmers and conservationists to address the loss of valuable farmland to development. loss of valuable farmland to development.

AFT’s concerns now extend to the quality and AFT’s concerns now extend to the quality and quantity of the nation’s agricultural resources. quantity of the nation’s agricultural resources. Since its beginning, Since its beginning,

AFT, by itself and in concert with others, has AFT, by itself and in concert with others, has protected thousands of acres of farmland protected thousands of acres of farmland across the country.across the country.

AFT assists individual landowners, AFT assists individual landowners, private groups and public agencies in private groups and public agencies in meeting their farmland protection goals – meeting their farmland protection goals – goals ranging from protecting farmland goals ranging from protecting farmland from urbanization and eliminating soil from urbanization and eliminating soil erosion to reducing agriculture’s impact erosion to reducing agriculture’s impact on the environment.on the environment.

AFT’s action-oriented AFT’s action-oriented programs include:programs include:

Public EducationPublic Education

Technical Assistance in Policy Technical Assistance in Policy DevelopmentDevelopment

Direct Farmland Protection ProjectsDirect Farmland Protection Projects

INFORMING THE PUBLICINFORMING THE PUBLIC AFT’s public education efforts seek to create public awareness AFT’s public education efforts seek to create public awareness

of the threats confronting the nation’s farmland and show how of the threats confronting the nation’s farmland and show how these threats can best be addressed.these threats can best be addressed.

AFT’s publications, reports and case studies AFT’s publications, reports and case studies

Aft’s awardAft’s award winning magazine, American Farmland, and its winning magazine, American Farmland, and its national technical newsletter, Farmland Updatenational technical newsletter, Farmland Update

AFT’s conferences, seminars and workshops offer an AFT’s conferences, seminars and workshops offer an opportunity for experts to share land-protection strategies, opportunity for experts to share land-protection strategies,

In November 1995, AFT brought participants together for an In November 1995, AFT brought participants together for an International conference on enhancing the environment International conference on enhancing the environment through agriculture.through agriculture.

DEVELOPING FARMLAND DEVELOPING FARMLAND FRIENDLY POLICYFRIENDLY POLICY AFT helps officials on the local, state and national AFT helps officials on the local, state and national

levels create public policies that address the levels create public policies that address the threats confronting farmland and offer threats confronting farmland and offer encouragement for good stewardship.encouragement for good stewardship.

AFT provides technical expertise to policymakers AFT provides technical expertise to policymakers at all levels. at all levels. Relying on surveys and research generated by its Center Relying on surveys and research generated by its Center

for Agriculture in the Environment on the campus of for Agriculture in the Environment on the campus of Northern Illinois University, AFT not only helps to design Northern Illinois University, AFT not only helps to design and implement programs but also mobilizes support and implement programs but also mobilizes support behind them.behind them.

EXPANDING PROTECTION EXPANDING PROTECTION OPTIONSOPTIONS AFT’s demonstration projects offer examples of how a private AFT’s demonstration projects offer examples of how a private

organization can help expand the farmland conservation organization can help expand the farmland conservation options available to many farmers by working with a few. options available to many farmers by working with a few.

LAND PROTECTION – Through land protection projects, AFT LAND PROTECTION – Through land protection projects, AFT works with farmers and other property owners to protect land works with farmers and other property owners to protect land using conservation easements and other tools. using conservation easements and other tools.

Easements are legally recorded agreements between the Easements are legally recorded agreements between the

landowner and AFT ensuring farmland remains permanently landowner and AFT ensuring farmland remains permanently in agricultural use or open space.in agricultural use or open space.

AFT has directly protected more than 45,000 acres of AFT has directly protected more than 45,000 acres of productive farmland in 18 states. AFT has assisted local productive farmland in 18 states. AFT has assisted local trusts in protecting thousands of additional acres. trusts in protecting thousands of additional acres.

AFTAFT MEMBERS: AFT has some 30,000 members and donors MEMBERS: AFT has some 30,000 members and donors

nationwide. AFT’s members include farmers, nationwide. AFT’s members include farmers, conservationists, educators and business people.conservationists, educators and business people.

STAFF: AFT has 35 staff members in six offices. Diverse STAFF: AFT has 35 staff members in six offices. Diverse academic and professional backgrounds allow AFT to tackle academic and professional backgrounds allow AFT to tackle agricultural resource conservation from all angles.agricultural resource conservation from all angles.

OFFICES:OFFICES:National:National: Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Field:Field: Davis, Calif.Davis, Calif.

Visalia, Calif.Visalia, Calif.Northampton, Mass.Northampton, Mass.Saratoga Springs, N.Y.Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Ft. Collins, Colo. Ft. Collins, Colo.

Center for AgricultureCenter for AgricultureIn the EnvironmentIn the Environment DeKalb, Ill.DeKalb, Ill.

AFTAFT BOARD OF DIRECTORS: AFT’s Board of BOARD OF DIRECTORS: AFT’s Board of

Directors represents farming and conservation Directors represents farming and conservation interests from across the nation.interests from across the nation.

FUNDING: AFT’s income is derived from FUNDING: AFT’s income is derived from member contributions and foundation and member contributions and foundation and corporate grants. corporate grants. Its annual operating budget is $4 million. Its annual operating budget is $4 million. AFT is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable, AFT is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable,

501-C-3 organization.501-C-3 organization.