Every year, America loses 1.2 million acres of farmland, much of it our best and most productive farmland near where most Americans live. More than 28,000 acres of farmland per year are converted to development in Minnesota.

Sauk River Ecosystem Services Project Kicks Off

Environmental incentive markets—new “markets” that help farmers improve the environment while also expanding their sources of income—are emerging for water quality, endangered and threatened species habitat, and renewable fuels. AFT’s Sauk River Ecosystem Services Project will bring new enthusiasm to soil and water conservation by promoting land use Best Management Practices (BMPs) and will establish a "stackable" credit market of water quality trading and carbon trading to fund these BMPs. Not only is it important to promote these best practices from an environmental standpoint but also from an economic standpoint for Minnesota farmers.

The Sauk River is one of the six areas targeted by AFT's Agriculture & Environment campaign to demonstrate agriculture's role in combating climate change and improving water quality. AFT’s Brian Brandt helped “kick off” the project by leading discussions on the roles and responsibilities of project participants and cooperators.   

Growing Local: Connecting Farms and Food

Every day we are losing important urban-edge farmland that supplies 91 percent of U.S. fruits and 78 percent of our vegetables. Our Growing Local campaign builds healthy communities by protecting local farm and ranch land and supporting access to fresh, local food.

• Support the local farms and food initiative by taking the Local Food Pledge.
  
• Spread the message of “No Farms, No Food” with a free bumper sticker.

Agriculture & Environment: Protecting our natural resources

In collaborating with farmers, environmentalists, and policy makers, our Agriculture and Environment initiative protects water quality and reduces climate change while improving the economic viability of farming.

• Take action to support the BMP Challenge and help farmers decrease nitrogen applications and reduce fertilizer contamination of local watersheds.
• Send an AFT eCard and inspire family and friends to protect the environment.

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
Bob Wagner
Senior Policy Advisor, Farmland and Communities
800-370-4879
bwagner@farmland.org