Farmland Protection Is the Winning Ticket

Two candidates for the Kent County, Michigan Commissioners Board may have found the winning ticket for farmland preservation. Five years ago, a Purchase of Development Rights program, used to protect farmland, was put in place—but a majority of county commissioners refused to commit county funds to match the federal program and a local foundation grant that would allow more farms to be preserved. Now, a citizens group that promotes farmland preservation backed two challengers to longtime incumbents on the board, and the change candidates won the recent primary.

Read about AFT's history in Kent County

michigan Farmers Come First

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm directed government departments to purchase Michigan products first, including Michigan grown products from food producers. more

Keeping the Focus on Farmland Protection

In 2000 the State of Michigan passed legislation forming the framework for local farmland protection programs to develop.  Since then, 20 counties in the state have passed county PDR ordinances and have established local agricultural preserve boards to govern and move the program forward.

The legislation also established the state Agricultural Preservation Fund intended to provide cost-sharing to local programs created under this act.  In 2006, $1.3 million was distributed by the state to four counties, not enough to effectively fulfill demand. The December 2007 Agricultural Preserve Boards of Michigan conference will discuss a number of issues including strategies to obtain state funding.

The Local Way is a Win-Win for Kids and the Economy

The state of Michigan has passed legislation that will help schools purchase locally grown foods for meals and snacks that reflects a growing interest in Farm to School programs across the state. The bills, passed in December, increase school budgets for purchasing local food and enhance opportunities for school officials and local food producers to build cooperative relationships. The law, effective this year, not only allows schools to purchase healthy, fresh, and local foods, but supports the local economy by keeping millions of tax dollars in the state. Megan Brown, deputy press secretary for the governor’s office, called the newly passed legislation “a win-win for our kids and the economy.”

What's the best Investment?

When more than 120 people gather in a hotel ballroom to hear speakers on investment topics—you might imagine they are talking about financial planning, retirement funds or a get-rich-quick scheme. Instead, a newly formed group called Agricultural Preserve Boards of Michigan held a conference with the help of American Farmland Trust. more

cost of community services study affirms tax savings

AFT completed a Cost of Community Services (COCS) study for Calhoun County that showed protecting farmland in Calhoun County saved valuable tax dollars for residents. Keeping land in agriculture means that water, police and fire protection and education taxes remain low—cows don’t go to school and cucumbers don’t dial 911! As a result of our study, Calhoun County residents have begun to develop their own county level farmland protection program. more

FederAl Farm Policy and The farm bill: what’s in it for Michigan?

Energy and environmental policies are a priority for President Obama’s Administration. At the heart of these issues lies American farmland. Agriculture can be part of the solution if the correct policies are enacted. Read our 9 for ’09 policy recommendations and ask President Obama to engage agriculture in these critical issues.

• 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.
• Get an in-depth look at Michigan's agricultural profile from a state and district level including production and payment information.
  

Contact Us
Bob Wagner
Senior Director, Farmland Protection Programs
800-370-4879
bwagner@farmland.org