Michigan has approximately 10 million acres of farmland and Michigan Farm Bureau supports both temporary and permanent voluntary programs to help protect it.
Farmland protection programs include PA-116, in which landowners receive a tax credit for agreeing to keep land in agriculture for at least 10 years.
Through the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), landowners can also voluntarily enter into an agreement with the state that restricts land to agricultural and open-space uses. And since donating land through conservation agreements is considered a charitable donation, landowners may be eligible for tax breaks.
“More than ever — with all the competing interests for land — we need to take a hard look at farmland preservation,” said Washtenaw County vegetable grower Mike Fusilier, who represents District 3 on the MFB Board of Directors. “Farmland preservation is really a vital tool in the toolbox for helping the next generation enter the farming industry.”
Some communities have permanent development rights (PDR) programs that are eligible for matching funds from USDA and MDARD. For a list of local programs that qualify for MDARD’s Agricultural Preservation Fund Board Matching Program, visit https://tinyurl.com/44k4kwwt.
Here are some other online resources regarding farmland preservation:
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/environment/farmland
American Farmland Trust: https://farmlandinfo.org/
Heart of the Lakes: https://www.heartofthelakes.org/farmland-preservation.html
To learn more about Michigan Farm Bureau’s support for farmland preservation, review the organization’s official Farmland Protection policy #77: https://tinyurl.com/mwdtp5w5
Questions:
- How can county Farm Bureaus and farmers work with local governments to create zoning that helps keep farmland into active agricultural production?
- How can we partner with urban areas on revitalizing already developed urban areas to combat developing undeveloped land?
- What is the best way to fund the state’s Agricultural Preservation Fund Board? How do we ensure the fund has enough money to be operational?
- Creating a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program requires a local program. How can we get a local program started if one does not currently exist?
…and/or submit one of the following via email:
- What local issues are on farmers’ minds in your area that should be addressed in the next five years?
- What other CAG discussion topics would you like to see?
- Your Farm Bureau staff in Lansing are here for YOU! What specific questions do you have for them?
- What assistance can they provide?
Include your name & CAG affiliation with your responses:
- EMAIL: [email protected]
- MAIL: MFB CAG Responses, ATTN: Ashley Frazee, 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917