Groups Partner to Preserve Tennessee Farmland

NASHVILLE – State agencies and non-profits today solidified their commitment to preserving the state’s farmland by forming the Tennessee Farmland Legacy Partnership. The partnership will serve as an authoritative resource for both farm level and community planning that promotes the preservation and viability of working farms in Tennessee.

 

“I am pleased to see so many agencies and other groups committing to protecting Tennessee’s farms from development,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Agriculture is an important part of our state’s economy. Healthy, productive farmland provides balance in our communities and contributes to our environment, scenic beauty and quality of life.”

 

The Tennessee Farmland Legacy Partnership seeks to raise awareness among farmers and other landowners, government officials including community planning and zoning officials, developers, business and civic leaders, media and citizens as to the values, needs and opportunities for farmland preservation in the state. The Partnership will also direct farmers and community officials to the technical and financial programs offered by organizations and agencies related to farmland protection. 

 

“We are proud to be among these groups working toward preserving farmland in Tennessee,” said Jeanie Nelson, president and executive director of The Land Trust for Tennessee. “The partnership is committed to providing farmers and community planners and leaders with the resources to help keep farms viable in Tennessee.”

 

“In Tennessee, we’re losing valuable farmland to development and other non-farm uses at a rate of 100,000 acres per year,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “Agriculture is a $3 billion industry at the farm level. This partnership is about giving farm families options for keeping their land in sustainable production for future generations.”

Under the Memorandum of Agreement, partner agencies and organizations agree to:

 

-      Share information, staff and resources.

-      Collect and disseminate information to stakeholders on the preservation of working farms.

-      Conduct and provide support for educational workshops and conferences on farmland preservation issues.

 

Partners that signed the memorandum of agreement today include the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, The Land Trust for Tennessee, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA Rural Development.

 

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of Tennessee farms in 2008 totaled 79,000, down 8,000 since 2003. Land in farms decreased during the same period from 11.5 million acres to 10.9 million acres, for an average annual loss of 100,000 acres. According to state agricultural officials, factors contributing to the loss of farms and farmland in the state include the loss of Tennessee’s tobacco industry, higher production costs, natural disasters and development pressures.

 

For more information on the Farmland Legacy Partnership, visit http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/marketing/legacy.html.