2019-2021 Farmland Preservation Biennial Report Now Available

Dear Producers, Conservationists, Land Stewards, Stakeholders and Members of the Public,

Every two years, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reports on the status of the Farmland Preservation Program. The 2019-2021 Farmland Preservation Biennial Report is now available.

The report includes farmland availability and conversion trends, program participation, tax credit claims data, as well as trends related to farmland preservation planning, farmland preservation zoning, agricultural enterprise areas (AEAs), farmland preservation agreements and conservation compliance.

Be sure to read about how Monroe County was able to leverage an Innovation Grant to encourage participation and invigorate the original goals of their designated Agricultural Enterprise Areas in the AEAs section, starting on page 15, and how the pilot grant program is carrying momentum into the next biennium.

The report contemplates program costs, issues, opportunities and recommendations, reflecting on the challenges of the 2019-2021 biennium while looking to the future, starting on page 27.

Please share with anyone who may be interested!

Sincerely,

The Farmland Preservation Program Team at DATCP