PACE programs compensate property owners for keeping their land available for agriculture. Typically, PACE programs consider soil quality, threat of development and future agricultural viability when selecting farms for protection. They are usually administered by state or local governments but may also be operated by private conservation organizations. The Farmland Information Center conducts an annual survey of State PACE programs and tracks their activity.
Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement Programs
State-Level Program Activity Totals | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Easements or Restrictions Acquired | 14,541 | 15,020 | 15,551 | 16,065 |
Acres Protected | 2,579,878 | 2,672,364 | 2,799,539 | 2,943,019 |
Program Funds Spent to Date | $3,887,170,187 | $3,969,625,889 | $4,103,081,243 | $4,245,393,339 |
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