Bill > SB0207

This bill establishes a Farmland Preservation Fund in Tennessee to help preserve farmland and forestland while supporting agricultural pursuits. The fund will be administered by the Department of Agriculture and financed through annual appropriations, with any unspent funds carried forward and invested. The bill creates a grant program allowing farmers and forest landowners to enroll their land in permanent conservation easements through qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) groups) that meet specific criteria. Grant applicants must prove they have entered or will enter a conservation easement and that the land will continue to be used for agricultural or forestry purposes. The conservation easements must include specific protections for landowners, such as requiring landowner consent for any easement modifications or property access, and ensuring that agricultural and forestry activities are not restricted. Governmental entities are not eligible for these grants, and the Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to create detailed rules for implementing the program. The bill emphasizes preserving Tennessee's agricultural heritage and ensuring food and fiber security for future generations, with the fund designed to provide economic, environmental, and societal benefits without limiting farmers' property use.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0207&ga=114