is a private, not for profit organization founded in 1999 by then Mayor Phil Bredesen and a group of 12 like-minded individuals. Mission: To preserve the unique character of Tennessee s natural and historic landscapes and sites for future generations. Agriculture and Forestry in Tennessee Contributes $71.4 billion to the state s economy each year and 363,000 jobs Agriculture alone accounts for 10.4 percent of Tennessee s economy and 262,000 jobs $3.5 billion in farm income Agriculture and Forestry in Tennessee Farm Cash Receipts: $3.5 billion One TN Farm One TN Small Business Farm dollars stay in rural communities farmers buy, bank and spend local 1 of every 7 dollars in the TN economy is directly/indirectly from agriculture and forestry Close to $2.1 billion (59.9) percent was from crops $1.4 billion (40.1 percent) from all livestock and livestock products. 1
In Comparison The state ranks: 2 nd in meat goat numbers 4 th in all tobacco production 4 th in tomatoes (all and fresh) 5 th in fresh, snap beans 6 th in equine International trade has a significant impact on Tennessee agriculture as well, with exports of raw agricultural products totaling $980 million in 2010. Farmland Loss Keeping Farmers on Farmland 2007 2012 Loss % loss in 5 years Farms 79,000 76,000 3,000 16% Acres 11,400,000 10,800,000 600,000 8% 13.7 acres per hour It s not farmland without farmers. Communities need to offer opportunities and make decisions that help farmers make a living as well as a life on the land. Building community support for agriculture, improving market opportunities and ensuring access to land for the next generation. is Nunnelly Farm / Piney River Hickman County 995 acres 2
is Community and cultural resources Dixona Farm Smith County 148 acres is Community and cultural resources Natural landscapes and recreation corridors Lost Cove Franklin County 3,000 acres is Community and cultural resources Natural landscapes and recreation corridors Working lands- farms and forests Circle A Farm Maury County 108 acres 3
Who has protected their land? Over the past 10 years, The Land Trust has worked with: Private landowners, including individuals and families partnerships, trusts, LLCs farm corporations developers Who has protected their land? Non-profit and community groups Save the Franklin Battlefield Battle of Nashville Society Bells Bend to Beaman park Who has protected their land? Local governments Shelby County- Shelby Farms City of Franklin- several parks City of Fairview- Bowie Park uses the conservation easement as its primary tool for preserving land. Bend of the River Farm Giles County 1297 acres A conservation easement is a legal restriction that permanently protects land from future development. 4
MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP A Landowner may: Live on it Keep it private Sell it Pass to heirs FLEXIBILITY Tailored to specific property and landowner s needs and desires Can be phased in over a period of time Totally voluntary TAX RELIEF Can significantly lower estate taxes May allow heirs to keep the land in the family rather than be forced to sell it May provide landowner with income tax and property tax benefits PERMANENCE & CONTINUITY Landowner s wishes remain in force forever Monitored and enforced in perpetuity - even if land changes hands Holland Farm Carroll County 200 acres also accepts donations of land. Bracy Land Company & Fuqua Family Farm 953 acres Robertson County 5
This can be a great option for landowners with no heirs. This can be done during lifetime or by will. Glen Leven Farm 65 acres Davidson County has protected over 90,000 acres through 263 properties across the state in 54 counties. has a project assistance fund available to help landowners. TN Department of Agriculture helps us protect working farms Tennessee Farmland Legacy www.farmlandlegacy.org Next Farmland Legacy Conference is scheduled for July 23 24 th, 2014 during Milan No Till Field Day Contact Us: The Land Trust For Tennessee 615-244-5263 (LAND) www.landtrusttn.org Offices or staff in: Nashville Chattanooga Gary Moore, Middle Tennessee Project Manager 931-581-1148 6
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