Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper has announced the opening of the first application round for the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund. The fund was established in partnership with the Georgia General Assembly to help protect farmland from development by supporting the purchase of conservation easements.
“With Georgia on pace to lose more nearly 800,000 acres of farmland by 2040, it is absolutely essential that we take decisive action to protect our state’s #1 industry and the Georgia Farm Families who fuel its success,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “I was proud to lead the charge to create and fund the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund to help Georgia farmers protect their land from development, and I strongly encourage all interested farmers to apply.”
Governor Brian Kemp expressed his support for the program, stating: “Ensuring Georgia’s No. 1 industry remains prosperous is essential to the economic success and security of our entire state. That’s why I was proud to sign SB 220 and join with our agriculture and legislative partners in creating this program to help preserve our critical farmland for generations.”
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones also commented: “I want to commend Commissioner Harper for his leadership and tireless work on behalf of Georgia’s farmers. The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund helps Georgia farmers protect their land from development and is essential to making sure future generations of farmers can keep agriculture Georgia’s number one industry.”
House Speaker Jon Burns added: “The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund reflects the General Assembly’s unwavering commitment to preserving our state’s No. 1 industry for generations to come. The House is proud to partner with Commissioner Harper and the Department of Agriculture to support Georgia’s farming families and protect the land that is essential to maintaining our quality of life.”
Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall highlighted generational concerns: “I appreciate Commissioner Harper’s leadership on farmland protection and keeping Georgia farmland in production. This program will go a long way in preserving family farms for the future generation. As farmers, the land we farm is not ours, we are just borrowing it from our children and grandchildren until they get to farm it one day. That is what this program is about – ensuring that family farms are still around for our grandchildren.”
Georgia Agribusiness Council President Will Bentley said: “The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund program will be a critical resource to help Georgia farmers protect their land and protect their livelihoods. I want to thank Commissioner Harper for his commitment to supporting Georgia farmers and protecting Georgia farmland, and we look forward to our continued work together on behalf of Georgia’s #1 industry.”
Katherine Moore, President of the Georgia Conservancy, noted: “Agribusiness is Georgia’s central economic engine. Supporting our farming community means supporting the economic and environmental vitality of our state. As development expands across Georgia, farming landowners face significant threats to their livelihood, with few options for conserving their property. A program like this is essential for keeping working lands in working hands. We applaud the leadership of Commissioner Tyler Harper and the Georgia Department of Agriculture for launching this incredible effort; twenty-nine other states have taken this critical step toward proactively protecting our farmland and farming landowners, and we are proud and ecstatic to join them.”
The fund was created through Senate Bill 220 in 2023 as a response to projections indicating that nearly 800,000 acres of farmland could be lost by 2040 if no action is taken.
Selected farmers will be able voluntarily protect their farms permanently through financial assistance provided by this initiative. Funding sources include annual appropriations from the state legislature as well as grants, gifts, or donations from public or private entities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides $450 million each year nationwide in matching funds for such programs at state level.
The main goal is conservation of farmlands under threat from development while supporting active food production across Georgia. The Department operates statewide—supporting agricultural activities throughout the state—and partners with producers via initiatives such as Georgia Grown. It also fosters agritourism opportunities across the region.
Since its establishment in 1874, according to its official website, the department has focused on protecting agriculture, promoting consumer interests, ensuring safe food supplies and marketing agricultural products within Georgia.
