Farmland Preservation

VFBF Position
We support state funding and promotion of local option farmland preservation programs which allow compensation to owners of such land, and guides growth to urbanizing areas such as: state and/or localities purchasing development rights, transferring development rights, leasing development rights, holding or co-holding perpetual conservation easements, tax credits or other concepts.

Background
Agriculture and forestry combined create the number one industry in Virginia, holding a top spot in the local and state economies. These industries provide economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits to the general public. The preservation of productive land in Virginia is an invaluable goal. Agriculture and forestry provide a significant benefit to local governments because open space, crops, and livestock do not require many expenditures for government services.

To maintain the viability of our industry, Virginia needs to make a commitment to agriculture and provide a variety of options for preserving the land and promoting the industry now and in the future. 

The first step in preserving farms in Virginia is ensuring that the land and farmers are available to produce food and fiber in the future. In order to effectively preserve agricultural lands, programs should be established which include recognizing the impact of development and also the benefit of farmland to a community. 

The land preservation tax credit program needs to realize the importance of the tax benefits to the farmer and remain a viable program. Any such programs must include direct representation of farmers both in the development and oversight of the program.

In 2007, Virginia made a commitment to working farms and forest land through an investment of $4.25 million for farmland preservation at the local level. Localities responded to the state investment by pledging 10 times the amount in matching funds, totaling 45 million. The matching PDR program requires counties to match dollar for dollar the amount that is granted to them by the state. Virginia is receiving at least a 50% return on investment.

The original investment by the Commonwealth will preserve farmland in 14 localities in Virginia. Since the matching funding became available, a number of localities adopted local PDR programs. There are now 21 localities that realize the importance of preserving working farmland in Virginia. In order for these localities to keep the PDR programs strong, reliable and consistent funding is needed to maximize the potential of this conservation partnership. 
                          
In 2005 the Virginia Farmland Preservation Taskforce set a goal of establishing 30 PDR programs in Virginia by 2010. Virginia is well on the way to meeting that goal and needs a financial commitment from the state in order to keep the programs running. The taskforce also set a funding goal of $30 million per year in farmland preservation funding.  For the 2008-2009 fiscal year, $1.5 million was invested by Virginia in matching funds for local purchase of development rights programs.  The Commonwealth needs to support its partnership with localities to conserve working farm and forest land through continued consistent funding of local purchase of development rights programs.  

Reasons for Position

1. The preservation of farmland in Virginia should focus on preserving the business and future vitality of agriculture.
2. The diversity of agriculture across the state necessitates multiple options and flexibility within a farm preservation initiative.
3. To adequately and effectively meet the needs of Virginia’s farmers, any farm preservation program should involve direct representation of farmers in the development and oversight of the program.
4. Along with preservation of the land and enhancing current market situations, it is important that future agricultural producers have the opportunity to purchase land or begin farming affordably.