AFT’s National Agricultural Land Network hosted two webinars on Buy-Protect-Sell, a successful strategy used by some land trusts and public agencies to protect land and facilitate its transfer to a farmer or rancher. Stepping in as an interim buyer when a farm or ranch is likely to be sold for development, a land trust or public agency will work with partners to place an easement on the property and then sell the protected property to a farmer or rancher at its agricultural value. Recognizing its value in helping young, new, and historically underserved farmers especially gain access to affordable ground, Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill specifically authorized the use of Buy-Protect-Sell through the federal Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. 

Buy-Protect-Sell 101 provides an introduction to Buy-Protect-Sell and provides insight during a panel discussion with practitioners. Buy-Protect-Sell 201 offers a deeper dive into ways to structure and finance BPS projects. Learn from stories of success and challenges practitioners should be prepared for.

The webinars were moderated by Cris Coffin, AFT’s National Agricultural Land Network Director & Senior Policy Advisor.

Panelists included:

• John Piotti, CEO & President, American Farmland Trust
• Maggie Donin, Farmland Access Program Manager, Vermont Land Trust
• Susan Payne, Executive Director, State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture State Agriculture Development Committee
• Robin Fay, Senior Conservation Manager, Washington Farmland Trust
• Stacy Funderburke, Regional Counsel and Conservation Acquisition Associate, The Conservation Fund
• Adam Bishop, Farmland Protection Program Director, Maine Farmland Trust
• Krisztian Varsa, Working Farms Fund Associate, The Conservation Fund