Kerri BartlettNashville Tennessean
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From the flatlands of West Tennessee to the soaring hills of East Tennessee, one of the state's most precious resources, its farmland, or 10 million acres, is in danger of significantly dwindling if preservation measures are not taken, according to agriculture industry experts.
During the 84th Annual Tennessee Farm Bureau President's Conference at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, the state's ongoing rapid land loss rose to the top of discussion platforms during the two-day gathering of over 750 farmers across the state.
Tennessee could lose over 1 million acres of farmland to imminent development, according to an American Farmland Trust study, a "Farms Under Threat Tennessee," examining expected trends from 2016 to 2040.
The state has already lost 1.1 million acres from 1997 to 2017. And just since 2017, the state has lost 432,941 more acres, according to University of Tennessee Farm Management studies.
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Tennessee also ranks third in the nation in land loss, according to American Farmland Trust.
Exploring solutions, farmers listened Aug. 8-9 to industry experts, including representatives from the University of Tennessee, the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation and even members of Kentucky Farm Bureau, who have seen success in saving its state's green space.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally also participated in a panel discussion Friday, showing support for the caretakers of the state's largest industry, which generates approximately $89 billion annually for the state's economy according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
'Try, try again' for land preservation bill in 114th General Assembly
Rapid population growth, especially in Middle Tennessee, correlates with land lost to development as well as with incoming industry such the most recent Ford BlueOval City mega site, bringing up to 5,000 jobs to a 4,100 acre industrial park in Haywood County in West Tennessee.
More: 'Haves and the have nots': Williamson gets more growth taxes than Maury, Rutherford
"We have to do something about this," Neil Delk, a beef cattle farmer in Maury County said in between conference sessions on Friday. "We have to get the land preservation bill passed."
Gov. Bill Lee proposed during the 113th General Assembly the Farmland Conservation Fund, or House Bill 1890, to combat the problem but it fell flat in the Senate after passing in the House.
However, though some in the Senate had reservations, farm leaders and legislators are confident the bill will reemerge during the 114th General Assembly.
The proposed legislation would allow the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to establish an agricultural easem*nt program in which landowners can enroll their farm into a program to secure it for years to come.
Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry praised the governor's efforts earlier this year and reassured hundreds of farmers at the conference that the organization would again get behind the legislation.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," Mayberry said.
Sexton confirmed to the The Daily Herald that there is hope for the bill to pass in the 114th General Assembly.
"On the House side, we passed it," he said. "The governor is looking at a broader package as well. I was with him the other day, and he said he is having stakeholder meetings, so he is looking at some conservation and preservation as well. We will see what it looks like when it gets to us, but I have full confidence in the governor in that."
Key speaker on Friday American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall reminded farmers of the legislative power the organization possesses when they speak as a collective voice, especially against legislation that could hurt farmers.
"When the foundation of this organization is strong and active, we can make anything happen," Duvall said. "Get outside your fence rows. Your farm extends beyond your fence rows."
In 2022, the bureau was instrumental in speaking out against a Securities Exchange Commission's proposed rule, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate Related Disclosures for Investors” that would have required farmers to disclose information about their operations and employees, which the bureau found to be too financially cumbersome for the average famer.
"It would have put many farms under," Duvall said.
Duvall said he received a call from the SEC asking why he had received 5,000 emails from farmers in one day, explaining that eventually over 20,000 communications went out to the SEC and U.S. legislators opposing the bill.
Ultimately, the bill was killed.
Young farmers are the future
Another key solution in successfully preserving land that echoed throughout the conference is securing young farmers to continue the tradition, whether inside or outside generational farming families.
Duvall emphasized "young farmers are the ones we have to focus on."
The Tennessee bureau even looked to Kentucky as a shining example of how state legislation can be crafted to incentivize families to keep the family farm in operation.
Much like Tennessee, Kentucky lost 1.4 million acres of farmland, or 17,000 farms, over 20 years.
Eddie Melton, fifth generation farmer and president of Kentucky Farm Bureau, described his bureau's efforts in supporting Kentucky (an income tax state) legislation that would give incentives, or a tax credit of up to 5% for farmers who agree to sell their land to beginning farmers.
"It's about the next generation," Melton said, encouraging families not to delay difficult discussions.
Jeff Aiken, deputy commission for the state Department of Agriculture, who also served on the Thursday panel, stressed the importance of families transitioning ownership of their farms to other operational owners, including next generation family members.
"I think we have the opportunity to make generational transformation that will impact this state and impact the future of agriculture and keep it as the No. 1 industry in Tennessee," Aiken said.
Other solutions could reside in land planning across counties. Rutherford County for example has formed a "PlanRutherford" Steering Committee to explore ways to preserve its farmland, while other counties across the state grapple with solutions.
Knox County Farm Bureau Women's Group Chairperson Pamela Stoutt has been speaking out at county planning meetings about the importance of farmland not being overtaken by growth.
"I believe that preserving farmland is critical for the state's future. It ensures not just our food source but our fuel, our fiber and forestry. They are the driving force for us to sustain life and build our economy. We have to have all of those for ourselves and our families," Stoutt said. "I don't think people understand the importance of farmland."
More: Rutherford, TN, officials want to preserve farmland: 'We have been overtaken by the growth'
During a panel discussion, Sexton said when traveling domestically or overseas, many know Tennessee as an agriculture state — the only state to have agriculture depicted on its state seal.
"I have been asked, 'Are you a farmer,' many times" Sexton said. "Tennessee is known internationally as a farming state. I don't think Tennesseans know who we are."
Sexton also explained what he'd like the average Tennessean to know about the farm industry.
"I'd like people to know how hard it is to get farm-made products, from start to finish, and how many things had to go right to get it.
"The agriculture community is supportive of the family, the church, volunteers and the volunteer spirit," Sexton said.
Duvall summed up his description of the American farmer and the AFBF.
"We are family. We love our farms. We love our land, and that's why we are here," Duvall said.
Quoting scripture from the Bible, Colossians 3:23-24, Duvall cited as follows: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
"We are the American farmer," Duvall said.
