“ A Nationwide Survey of Land Trusts that Protect Farm and Ranch Land

Purpose Identify organizations that actively protect farm and ranch land for agriculture Quantify the amount of agricultural land they have protected

Survey Methodology Started with LTA’s list of land trusts Narrowed to those who said agricultural land was a priority Added selected non-respondents and FRPP participants Final list included 763 organizations Developed Web-based survey Asked about land protection activity, partnerships, easements provisions, and activities to support agriculture Distributed in April 2012; follow up through September 36% response rate

Land Trusts Protected 3 Million Acres

5 Million Acres Saved

LTs Protected More Ranchland than Cropland 75% of the protected agricultural land is ranchland Less than one third of land protected by state PACE programs is ranchland

Small Subset Did Most of the Work 52 land trusts had protected 5,000 acres or more; they accounted for 95% of acres protected 55 land trusts had acquired at least 25 easements; they accounted for 87% of easements held 70 land trusts had acquired at least 25 easements OR protected at least 5,000 acres

Donations Drive Activity

Easement Provisions Support Ag 92% include explicit right to use the land for agriculture 78% reference productivity or viability in purpose statement 90% permit agricultural structures; 81% allow farm houses Majorities permit activities that enhance income reduce expenses: Equine facilities (57%) Ancillary businesses (55%), Energy generation for on-farm use (55%) Structures for marketing agricultural products (53%)

78% offered at least one additional activity 120 land trusts assist with conservation planning or the implementation of conservation practices 70 land trusts engage in local planning 47 land trusts help farmers with succession planning

67 land trusts lease land to farmers or ranchers 76 land trusts plan to lease land in the next five years 19 include provisions to protect future affordability

Most active land trusts are located in states with PACE programs Many land trusts rely on donations A few land trusts use restrictive easements

F ARMLAND I NFORMATION C ENTER