Delaware Aglands permanently preserves 3,800 acres

During a stop at the Delaware Agriculture Education & Commodities Building during the Delaware State Fair, Gov. John Carney announced an additional 3,827 acres on 54 farms are now permanently preserved for future generations.

2022 marks the 26th consecutive year of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation. In this round, 23 farms in Sussex County, 26 in Kent County and three in New Castle were preserved, along with two easements for forestland preservation.

“Preserving Delaware’s farmland is a priority, and Delaware Aglands has helped keep farms in production,” said Carney. “The Department of Agriculture has a big year ahead, with $20 million allocated to preserve Delaware farms from the ground up. With this year’s average discount rate at 44%, there is no better time for farmers to consider preserving their farms for future generations. I want to thank members of the General Assembly for seeing the importance of protecting agriculture here in our state.”

Along with the state funding, Delaware’s success in preserving farmland would not be possible without the assistance of many county and federal partners. The Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation has partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Sussex County Council and Kent County Levy Court to purchase easements in this round. New Castle County provided funds this past winter to preserve a farm there that was not originally selected in Round 25.

“Farmland preservation is not just about preserving Delaware’s No. 1 industry. It’s ensuring our residents have access to Delaware-grown food; that our next generation has a career in agriculture, no matter whether it’s on the farm, working in agribusiness, teaching agriscience to our youth or developing the latest technology; and the heritage, culture and beauty of rural Delaware can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” said Michael T. Scuse, secretary of agriculture. “In this round, nine easements in the Inland Bays watershed were selected, encompassing 486 acres. This is the most Inland Bays easements we have selected in one year and the most acres in the last 20 years. This is a big deal to ensure these communities have local farms providing them healthy food into the future.”

Since 1995, Delaware has preserved 6,873 acres of farmland in the Inland Bays watershed, costing $16.75 million. The easements selected in this year’s round have an estimated cost of $1.7 million. The only round with more acres preserved in this area was Round 5, announced in 2000.

“For the second year in a row, we have been able to accept every offer made by landowners to preserve their farms,” said Jimmy Kroon, Aglands administrator. “This is a significant change from several years ago when the process was much more competitive. Combined with increasing appraisals, we are paying more to preserve farmland, and we’re happy farmers are benefitting from that.”

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation selects farms approved for easement purchase using an impartial discounted ranking system that maximizes benefits for taxpayers. The foundation does not own the land, but rather purchases landowners’ development rights and places a permanent agricultural conservation easement on the property. Landowners must first voluntarily enroll their farm in a 10-year preservation district and are eligible for permanent preservation the year after they apply. In addition to nearly 147,000 acres in permanent easements, Delaware’s Aglands Preservation Program has more than 34,000 acres of land enrolled in 10-year farmland preservation districts.

County governments can partner with the state program and add county funds to select properties in their areas, leveraging state resources for the most significant impact.

Delaware’s statewide program made its first round of easement purchases in 1996 and has since preserved 18% of Sussex County farmland, 38% of Kent County farmland and 21% of New Castle County farmland.

For eligibility requirements, go to de.gov/aglands.

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation board of trustees includes representatives from agriculture and state agencies. Trustees are Mark Collins, chair; James G. Vanderwende, vice chair; Janice Truitt, treasurer; William H. “Chip” Narvel Jr., secretary; Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse; State Treasurer Colleen C. Davis; Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin; Peter Martin; Theodore P. Bobola Jr.; Robert Emerson; and H. Grier Stayton.