Preservation

What is Happening to Connecticut's Farmland?

Connecticut's farmland is disappearing at the alarming rate of 8,000 acres a year. Fertile, highly productive land is being converted to residential and commercial uses at one of the fastest rates in the country -- in less than 20 years, we have lost 21% of our state's farmland. If this rate of conversion continues, all of our remaining farmland will be gone in less than two generations.

Everyone in Connecticut reaps the benefits of farmland. From producing fresh, local food to providing pastoral vistas, farms are a vital part of our history, culture, and economy. Connecticut farms contribute $2 billion annually to our local economy, provide a myriad of environmental benefits, and help balance town budgets. Studies have documented that farms require less than 50 cents in town services for every dollar they generate in local taxes -- while residential development costs towns more than one dollar for every dollar of revenue generated.

Preserving Connecticut's Remaining Farmland

Connecticut's growth is placing significant development pressure on much of the state's prime farmland. Landowners throughout the state are seeking ways to protect their family's land and their community's heritage and sense of place. Surveys show that Connecticut residents are concerned about keeping working land available for present farmers, future farmers, wildlife habitat, and scenic enjoyment.

Landowners can take steps to permanently preserve their fields and forest while maintaining the farm, sustainably harvesting timber, and simply enjoying open land.

How We Can Aid Landowners

Landowners and estate holders should consider the family's overall, long-term objectives when planning for the legacy of their land. These objectives may include lowering income and estate tax burdens; conserving their land's agricultural, water, and natural resources; and ensuring that the family farm is kept in the family for present and future generations.

The Connecticut Farmland Trust assists landowners in determining how to best preserve their farmland. CFT partners with federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as local land trusts (please see the links page), to provide matching funds and technical assistance in preserving land.

Please contact the Connecticut Farmland Trust to explore the voluntary preservation options available to you and your family. We are happy to meet with you in person at your farm or to discuss your goals over the phone. You can also print out an inquiry form to fill out and mail back to us. All information you provide to CFT is confidential.

For more information, please contact Elisabeth Moore, Director of Conservation at (860) 247-0202 or emoore@ctfarmland.org.

Tax Incentives for Conservation Donors

In 2006, Congress passed a law to enhance the tax benefits of protecting your farm by voluntarily donating all or a portion of the value of a conservation agreement. If you own farmland with important natural or historic resources, voluntarily donating or selling a conservation agreement can be one of the smartest ways to conserve the land, while maintaining your private property rights and possibly realizing significant federal tax benefits.

The special 2006 tax incentive for conservation easements expired December 31, 2009, but it is likely Congress will renew the incentive in 2010 and make it retroactive to January 1st. For more information about the tax incentive please visit the Land Trust Alliance’s page on Tax Policy.

Resources

Conservation Options for Connecticut Farmland: The American Farmland Trust, a national organization that conducts outreach in Connecticut, has published an updated version of its guide to help landowners and communities identify state and federal programs available to protect farmland and fund farm conservation practices. The updated version includes new detailed information on the Joint State-Town Farmland Preservation Program, the CT Agriculture Viability Grants program, and tax considerations specific to the 2006 Federal Tax Code. You can find a link to download the PDF file of the guide here, on the AFT website, under the heading "Landowner Guides."

Bibliography: The Connecticut Farmland Trust has compiled a bibliography for landowners interested in learning about conservation options. The list describes several widely used publications that cover estate planning, tax strategies, and other land conservation tools, and provides information on where to purchase them.

Sources of Land Information: CFT's staff compiled this list of online and professional resources that land trusts, landowners, and town officials may find useful for learning more about specific lands considered for conservation. The conservation process calls for details on numerous natural resources and the input of many professionals -- our list can help you know where to look.

Preservation Map: The preservation map (2 MB) illustrates the challenge involved in preserving Connecticut's remaining farmland. It shows agricultural land throughout the state and highlights the fraction that CFT and other programs protect. The information is courtesy of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and is current as of May 2006.

Connecticut Farmland Statistics: Check out A Call to Farms! A Mid-decade Look at Connecticut's Agricultural Lands on the Working Lands Alliance website for more information about the history and status of farming in Connecticut.