WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Peter Welch (D-VT) have introduced legislation that would help protect American and Maine farmland for agricultural use and expand access to farming for the future generations. The Farmland Access Act updates the existing, but underutilized, federal Buy-Protect-Sell program that allows land trusts and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to purchase and preserve farmland before its eventual transfer to another farmer who can maintain the land.

“Maine farmland has fed our state’s communities and powered our economy for generations,” said Senator King. “As many Maine farmers look to hang up their hats and enjoy a well-deserved retirement, the Farmland Access Act would help pass down their critical agricultural lands to the next generation. By improving on existing federal programs, this commonsense bill will make it easier to preserve farmland before it is eventually sold to aspiring young farmers at an affordable price. I‘m excited to partner with Senator Welch on this legislation, and hope it is included in the upcoming Farm Bill to secure the future of farms in Maine, Vermont, and across the country.”

“Farms are the heart of Vermont’s economy, ecology, culture, and identity, and, for most Vermonters, the thought of losing our farmland is unthinkable. But without stronger federal protections, we’re in danger of losing farmlands across the United States and the environmental benefits that come with them, and we risk a future where young farmers can’t build successful farms of their own,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join Senator King to introduce the Farmlands Access Act to ensure farmland stays farmland and help young farmers acquire and maintain our agricultural lands for generations to come.” 

“Thank you to Senators King and Welch for introducing a set of practical fixes to an underutilized program – increasing its vast potential to improve farmland access opportunities for the next generation of farmers in Maine and nationwide. Protecting Maine’s farmland and expanding access to that land provides a solid foundation for the State’s current and future thriving farm businesses, communities, and rural economies. As Maine faces increasing development pressures, we applaud the effort to make it easier to transfer agricultural land at affordable prices to new and existing farmers who will steward it with care for years to come,” said Shelley Megquier, Policy & Research Director, Maine Farmland Trust

The average age American farmers is currently 57.5 years old, and an estimated 370 million acres (about twice the area of Texas) of farmland is expected to change hands in the next 20 years. The American Farmland Trust estimates that the United States has lost more than 11 million acres of farmland to development over the last 20 years — driven, in part, by the inability of younger farmers to compete with the sums offered by real estate developers when attempting to purchase farmland.

The Farmland Access Act would help transfer farmland to a next generation of farmers at an affordable price by supporting the following “Buy-Protect-Sell” approach between NGOs and farmers:

1. Step 1: Buy. The NGO will buy agricultural lands as a temporary landowner;
2. Step 2: Protect. The NGO will protect the agricultural nature of the parcel and sell a permanent conservation easement to reduce the fair market value of the land;
3. Step 3: Sell. The NGO will sell the protected land to a farmer or rancher at a more affordable price.

Buy-Protect-Sell transactions were authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill as part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Unfortunately, the text of the statute and subsequent regulations made transactions far too burdensome and there has not been a successfully executed Buy-Protect-Sell transaction since the 2018 Farm Bill. Under the Farmland Access Act, these transactions would be smoother, more efficient, and more affordable for young farmers.

Senator King has been a strong advocate for Maine farmers. With Senator Ernst, he introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to boost marketing efforts and overseas sales for American agricultural products, including seafood. Their Expanding Agricultural Exports Act is estimated to increase agricultural exports by $7.4 billion by doubling funding for the advertising programs of agricultural goods in foreign countries. King also recently celebrated National Agriculture Week in the March episode of his Inside Maine radio show and podcast.

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