AFT: 3 million acres now protected in private trusts
March 21, 2013 | 05:21 PM
Private land trusts have permanently protected 3 million acres of U.S. farm and ranch land, the American Farmland Trust said in a new report issued today.
Roughly a quarter was saved in partnership with state and local purchase of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs, the AFT said. Land trusts and public programs together have protected about 5 million acres for agriculture.
A small number of land trusts did most of the work: 52 land trusts protected 95 percent of the land, and 55 hold 87 percent of the easements, according to AFT.
But the group also noted that these organizations tend to be located in states with PACE programs, leaving parts of the country without an option for agricultural landowners interested in permanent protection.
Roughly a quarter was saved in partnership with state and local purchase of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs, the AFT said. Land trusts and public programs together have protected about 5 million acres for agriculture.
A small number of land trusts did most of the work: 52 land trusts protected 95 percent of the land, and 55 hold 87 percent of the easements, according to AFT.
But the group also noted that these organizations tend to be located in states with PACE programs, leaving parts of the country without an option for agricultural landowners interested in permanent protection.
