Every year, America loses 1.2 million acres of farmland, much of it our best and most productive farmland near where most Americans live. Over 3,200 acres of agricultural land per year are converted to development in Delaware. Statewide, Delaware is losing farmland at the 8th highest rate in the country.

Cleaning Up the Chesapeake Bay: Make Agriculture a Key Player

In May 2009, President Barack Obama issued an executive order for a fresh look at the federal government’s role in Chesapeake Bay cleanup. The EPA and four cabinet-level departments recently released draft reports that estimate meeting water quality goals will require a 44 percent reduction of nitrogen entering the bay. Agriculture is one of the contributors to pollution in the bay, and reducing run-off while ensuring farms stay in business is no easy task. Fortunately there are some tools that that help farmers improve water quality, while allowing them to keep the farm business alive.

Delaware Is Saving Farmland

Delaware’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Program is the state’s farmland protection program. There are now 129,163 acres in 519 Agricultural Preservation Districts and district expansions in Delaware. The program has been successful in striking a balance between two important goals: preserving a critical mass of crop and forest land and open space to sustain Delaware's number one industry and quality of life, and providing landowners an opportunity to preserve their land in the face of increasing development pressures and decreasing commodity values. More Information: Delaware’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Program

FederAl Farm Policy and The farm bill

What’s in the farm bill and why is it important? Find out what’s next for the farm bill and how we can make sure the legislation's promises are turned into programs on the ground.

Contact Us

Jim Baird
Mid-Atlantic States Director
1200 18th Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(p) 202-378-1235 (f) 202-659-8339
jbaird@farmland.org