TN Gov Bill Lee signs the Farmland Preservation Act into law

TN Gov Bill Lee signs the Farmland Preservation Act into law

On Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill signed the Farmland Preservation Act into law.

The bill establishes a permanent conservation easement and creates a grant fund to support farmers who voluntarily choose to protect their farmland.

The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support, the governor's office said.

“Agriculture is the top driver of Tennessee’s economy, and our farmers play an important role in our state’s success,” said Gov. Lee. “As Tennessee experiences unprecedented economic growth and job creation, the Farmland Preservation Act ensures that family farms can preserved well into the future. I thank the General Assembly for their partnership in supporting rural communities so that all Tennesseans can thrive.”

Tennessee Rep. Greg Vital said “Over 20 years ago, I saw the importance of protecting part of my farm with the first voluntary conservation easement in Hamilton County. Since that time, as both a board member and chairman of the Land Trust for Tennessee, we have protected over 4,400 acres across Hamilton County and almost 140,000 acres of farmland and forests across Tennessee. With the rapid loss of agricultural and forest lands at the rate of 240 acres a day in Tennessee, I was honored to carry the Farmland Preservation Fund through the House of Representatives on behalf of Governor Lee. This fund will help facilitate additional voluntary conservation easements across the state and slow the decline of farmland and give the Tennessee Department of Agriculture another tool in protecting family farms and providing food security for future generations.“