Conservation Reserve Program Changes Rules to Make More Land Available
The USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program has made a major rule change to make land more readily available to the next generation of farmers. For the least environmentally sensitive of the land’s included in the program, an early termination option will now be available for aging farm operators looking to pass on their land. The average […]
Take the National Young Farmers Survey!
Every 5 years, the National Young Farmers Coalition puts together a survey to give them better data on the needs, demographics, and policy inclinations of young farmers across the country. They use this data to inform their positions and proposals for the upcoming Farm Bill. With the next Farm Bill coming into play in 2018, […]
Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Applications for Conservation Easements
NRCS is now accepting applications for conservation easements for agricultural and wildlife lands through its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The focus of the program is to preserve critical water resources and wildlife habitat through biodynamic farmland and wildland conservation. Native American Tribes, state and local governments across the country are eligible to participate in this program. […]
Unbroken Ground: A Patagonia Provisions Film
Patagonia Provisions, Patagonia’s newest project, is focused on challenging our current food system through providing an alternative model to the conventional way that we grow and consume food. Unbroken Ground, a short film directed by Chris Malloy, provides insight into four sectors of restorative agricultural practices including regenerative agriculture, regenerative grazing, diversified crop production and restorative fishing in […]
Multiple Agencies Dispute Appraisals of Agricultural Land in KY
When purchasing conservation easements on agricultural land, it is not uncommon for local, state, and federal agencies to share the cost burden. In a recent set of conservation easement purchases outside Lexington, KY, these partner agencies disagreed over appraisal prices. While this has not affected the protection of the farmland in question it has affected […]
USDA Helps Organic Farmers Defray Certification Cost
The United States Department of Agriculture is offering new assistance to the growing number of organic farmers across the nation. The cost burden of annual certification for organic operations can weigh down small to medium and beginning farms. While the USDA has offered assistance for years, only about half of the organic operations in the […]
Iowa Farmer Suggests Conservation Provisions for Crop Insurance
Iowa farmer Mark Peterson is on the front lines of the Mid-West’s sustainable agriculture movement. As a farmer in Stanton, IA he knows what is working for and what is hurting the soil health in popular farming practices. In an op ed to the Des Moines Register, Peterson outlines how a couple key changes to […]
USDA issues Farmer Fair Practices Rules
After decades of waiting, the enforceable follow up to the Packers and Stockyards Act has been introduced by the USDA. This comes in the form of three rules (one interim final rule, and two proposed rules awaiting public comment) hoping to help level the playing field for contract farmers working in livestock, especially poultry. The […]
EU Conference seeks to crack Land Access Question (LIVE STREAM 12/7)
Land Access is a global problem. Across the globe, producers young and old, land owners, governments and non-profits are seeking the solutions to the ever pressing question: how can we guarantee land to the next generation of farmers? The ECVC, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Greens/EFA Group of the European Parliament is putting […]
Farmland Affordability through Community Land Contribution
In Martin Adams’s new book Land: A New Paradigm for a Thriving World the author tackles the questions about land’s use and values through a plethora of lenses. In chapter 13, Adams delves into the impact of sustainable farming and farm access. Echoing Agrarian Trusts beliefs in land stewardship and the need for a affordable farmland […]