The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced the 29th round of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation today, preserving 36 properties comprising more than 2,800 acres at a cost of $14.9 million.
Since the program’s inception three decades ago, more than 1,250 First State farms and more than 160,000 acres have been preserved.
Today’s announcement, attended by Governor Matt Meyer, Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton, State Sen. David L. Wilson, Sussex County Administrator Todd F. Lawson, Sussex County Councilman Matt Lloyd and other state and local officials, was hosted at the Oliphant Farm outside Laurel. The farm, which includes more than 100 acres, has produced corn and soybeans for the current owners for more than five generations, with the oldest building on the property dating to the 1880s.
Today’s event also coincides with National Farmers Day, which is being celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 12.
“Preserving Delaware’s rich agricultural heritage and providing incentives for farming families to continue to pass their lands to future generations is a legacy everyone can celebrate as we mark National Farmers Day,” Governor Meyer said. “The Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation is a wonderful partner in that process and today’s easement announcement continues to build on the work done across several Administrations.”
In 1991, the General Assembly passed legislation, signed into law by Gov. Michael N. Castle, to create the framework for the Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation, which oversees the preservation program with staffing support from Department of Agriculture employees. The first funding was allocated in 1995 during Gov. Thomas R. Carper’s administration and the first easement selections were made in 1996.
“The Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation is one of the jewels of the entire First State agricultural community,” Agriculture Secretary Clifton said. “The program has been cited as the best in the nation at preserving and protecting farmland for future generations to use and enjoy. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is proud to assist First State residents through this process and our team can answer any questions families may have as they explore their future land-use options.”
The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation easements are available for viewing through an online dashboard at https://de.gov/agdashboard. The Foundation selects farms approved for easement purchase using an impartial discounted ranking system that maximizes taxpayer benefits.
The Foundation does not own the land but purchases landowners’ development rights and places a permanent agricultural conservation easement on the property. Landowners must first voluntarily enroll their farm into a 10-year preservation district and are eligible for permanent preservation the year after they apply.
This year’s easements include properties in all three First State counties. Each county government contributed toward the preservation costs of selected easements, with the breakdown below. The Oliphant Farm’s easement, as an example, was half paid with Sussex County funds.
• Sussex County: $1,917,156 for eight easements
• New Castle County: $225,769 for one easement
• Kent County: $100,000 for seven easements
“Sussex County is proud to continue its partnership with the State of Delaware in this very worthwhile program, and we’re especially excited to be making the largest contribution ever by the County government to ensure agriculture remains visible and viable in the First State,” Sussex County Council President Douglas B. Hudson said. “Agriculture is more than our No. 1 industry. It’s a way of life, a part of our heritage and our legacy, one that we must do everything in our power to protect for the generations to come.”
Source : delaware.gov