Any person can take a beneficial program and pick out a few instances where the reality does not play out as the program intended. Even as he praises himself for starting a lively discussion, Mr. Salatin, in his blanket rebuke of the conservation easement program, has marginalized his ability to provide a beneficial critique of conservation easements as they exist today. It may make for interesting reading, but it ultimately fragments a community that needs to work together.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is NOT an easement program. The CREP program is, as Mr. Salatin states, a government program that protects riparian areas in exchange for fencing and tree establishment along those riparian buffers. The contracts do run for 10 to 15 years depending on the landowner’s contract with the National Resource Conservation Service. There is NO deed restriction placed on land that is entered into the CREP program. In fact the landowner may choose to opt out of the program; however, the cost share money that was given to the landowner must be repaid. There are additional cost share programs available to agricultural producers through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts that enhance and expand on producer’s ability to fence and cross fence properties for intensive rotational grazing and protection of water ways.

At the TJSWCD, we work very closely with producers to allow the farmer to design a system that meets the goals and practices of that farmer. The cost share programs are not prescriptive in the configuration of fields, or exact placement of water troughs. If a producer would like fences that are not straight lines, the District approves those fences. However, fences built in straight lines are far more cost effective than those that have many curves and corners. All of the cost share watering systems and the CREP programs are designed to allow for rotational grazing. Over all, watering livestock from ground water wells is very effective and is healthier for the livestock since they are drinking water free from contaminants that are frequently found in surface water. CREP and designed rotational grazing systems help not only the environment but the farmer since rotational grazing and fresh drinking water increases growth in calves bringing greater economic returns to the farmer.

Environmental sustainability of our family farms is important, as is the protection of our water ways by using best management practices and appropriate conservation techniques. The cost share programs such as CREP and programs offered through our Soil and Water Conservation Districts and NRCS are important tools in achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. If you would like more information on the TJSWCD please phone 434-975-0224.

Hundreds of farms throughout Virginia – both traditional ag operations as well as progressive local food producers – operate successfully on easement protected land. In the Piedmont region alone, many of our best-known local farms, such as the Farm at Sunnyside in Rappahannock County and Roundabout Farm in Albemarle County, are permanently protected from development by easements. Gryffon’s Aerie operates a well-known local food business on leased land, which is protected by an easement. For years, the conservation community has been striving to protect land for farming while protecting the flexibility of management that can allow that farming to happen.

Conservation easements are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Land conservationists work hard to tailor each easement to the needs of each landowner, while protecting the important conservation values of the property. Easements frequently allow for additional farm housing, agricultural structures, and on-farm, value-added processing of farm products. Furthermore, thanks to generous Virginia tax benefits and local easement purchase programs, easements frequently provide cash-strapped farmers with the capital necessary to make on-farm improvements. One Culpeper farmer used the proceeds of his easement to go organic with his dairy, while another in Fauquier County was able to purchase additional land to expand his operation.

A viable farming economy in Virginia requires that the most important input for a farm – raw land – is available for generations to come. Conservation easements ensure that the next generation of local food producers will have the land they need to produce local foods for our communities for centuries to come.

Those interested in learning how permanent conservation easements are being effectively utilized by working farm families who want to limit development and protect essential natural and cultural resources in the Shenandoah Valley and elsewhere are encouraged to contact Valley Conservation Council, http://www.valleyconservation.org.