News Update
June 17, 2009

State Farmland Preservation Efforts Off Pace in 2008

According to new statistics released by the American Farmland Trust (AFT) Farmland Information Center, the efforts of state governments to protect agricultural land through purchase of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs slowed during 2008, probably due to record-high land values. PACE programs pay farmers and ranchers to permanently protect their land with conservation easements that limit future development and keep the farmland available for agriculture.

The survey of PACE programs in 23 states found that states spent more than $336 million to protect 121,373 acres of farm and ranch land in 2008. Although states spent 14% more than they did in 2007, they protected 28% fewer acres, and acquired 33% fewer easements.

Next year’s news may be worse. Although land values have dropped, the economic downturn and state budget shortfalls have affected funding for farmland protection, even in states with typically well-funded programs.

For example, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program will not accept new applications in fiscal year (FY) 2010 because the program’s funding sources — a dedicated portion of the real estate transfer tax and the agricultural transfer tax — are generating less revenue. Instead, funds will be used to address the backlog from FY 2009.

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program set a lower threshold than last year for state easement purchase funds because they realized a loss on their investments and received less revenue than anticipated from the state’s Environmental Stewardship Fund. At the same time, the program faces staff cuts to help offset the state’s $3.2 billion shortfall.

Other states are have also decreased funding, and the Obama administration is grappling with budget deficits and included less in next year’s federal budget for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program than was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.

AFT's Farmland Information Center conducts an annual survey of state and local PACE programs throughout the country. The results are available online at www.farmlandinfo.org.

— Adapted from a release provided by AFT.

Ag Community Warns of EPA Proposal

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a proposed rule that would regulate greenhouse gas emissions as a threat to public health under the Clean Air Act. If passed, this finding could threaten the livelihood of farmers, ranchers and businesspeople across America, according to U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Animal Health Chairman Chuck Kiker and American Agri-Women President Marice Williams.

Williams and Kiker are urging the EPA, Congress and President Obama to reconsider this approach to mitigating climate change. This public health finding could target hard-working Americans with unnecessary regulation and litigation. Additionally, Williams and Kiker contend that the current public comment period should be extended an additional 60 days after the current June 23 deadline.

The USCA warns this potential regulatory burden on the U.S. agriculture community would hurt not only small businesses nationwide, but also every American household that depends on agribusiness to provide food for their families.

— Release provided by Businesswire.com.

Organic Trade Gets a Boost in U.S., Canada Deal

A first-of-its-kind agreement has been reached between the United States and Canada that will expand opportunities for organic producers in both countries, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced today.

The “equivalency agreement” follows a review by both nations of the other’s organic certification program and a determination that products meeting the standard in the United States can be sold as organic in Canada, and vice versa.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under a determination of equivalence, producers and processors that are certified to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards by a USDA-accredited certifying agent do not have to become certified to the Canada Organic Product Regulation (COPR) standards in order for their products to be represented as organic in Canada.

Likewise, Canadian organic products certified to COPR standards may be sold or labeled in the United States as organically produced. Both the USDA Organic seal and the Canada Organic Biologique logo may be used on certified products from both countries. The COPR goes into effect on June 30.

The two letters determining equivalence and Q&As discussing the details of these actions can be found on the NOP web site at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

Consumer demand for organic food has risen quickly during the past 10 years, according to a recent study by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

USDA reports that since the late 1990s, U.S. organic production has more than doubled, but the consumer market has grown even faster.

— Adapted from a release provided by USDA.

Ag Secretary Vilsack Announces $123M for Rural Water Projects

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of more than $123 million in water and environmental projects that are being funded immediately through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 24 states.

“These Recovery Act investments will provide reliable drinking water and sanitary waste disposal while creating and saving jobs in rural America,” Vilsack said.

The 24 states where projects are located include: Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas. More information and a list of recipients can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

— Release provided by USDA.

— Compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.