Farm and Conservation Advocates Ask Legislature to Stop the Loss of Farmland

Farm and conservation advocates joined forces to call for passage of legislation that will fund a new program to protect farmland from urban conversion.

Pointing to a new study by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the groups urged immediate action to slow the conversion of productive farmland to urban uses. The Department's study found that Florida has lost 5 million acres of farmland and can expect to lose a million more in the next 10 years.

The Department declared a goal of protecting one acre for every acre lost to development.

HB 1075 by Rep. Paula Dockery and SB 1770 by Sen. John Laurent provides funds to purchase conservation easements authorized by the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act. The bills are supported by both the agricultural and conservation communities.

Phil Leary of the Florida Farm Bureau said, "The economy is making it difficult for Florida's farmers to hold onto their land. Farmland provides open space, water recharge, and some of the best wildlife habitat in Florida."

"If people want to see agriculture as a viable part of Florida's future, they will support these bills," Leary said. "Our industry contributes billions to Florida's economy, but when the developers call, many farmers face a difficult choice."

Studies show that ranch and timberlands have significant environmental benefits. When farmland is converted, the environmental benefits are lost. "Conservation easements will make forests a permanent part of Florida's landscape," said Alan Shelby of the Florida Forestry Association.

Eric Draper of Audubon of Florida said, "Protecting ranch and timber land may be the most important environmental priority in Florida. It is the best bang for the buck in terms of real conservation."

HB 1075 was approved by the General Government Committee. SB 1770 will be heard by the Senate Natural Resources Committee next week.

Groups supporting the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act include the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the Florida Cattlemen's Association, the Florida Forestry Association, Audubon of Florida and The Nature Conservancy.