By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative (KFTI) Network has officially endorsed the Protecting American Farmlands Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.
This legislation aims to help farmers transition their land to the next generation rather than selling it to developers. As Kentucky continues to lose farmland at a concerning rate, KFTI members are urging Congress to pass this measure to protect agricultural land for future producers.
Launched in April 2024 by the Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB), the KFTI Network is a coalition of agricultural organizations, educational institutions, and agribusiness leaders working together to address challenges related to farmland transition.
“The farms we know and love as Kentuckians are at risk. At the current rate of farmland loss, the number of Kentucky farmers will be cut in half over the next 60 years. We can’t solve this problem alone, and fortunately, we don’t have to,” said KFB President Eddie Melton.
“With the support of Senator McConnell and so many influential leaders in agriculture, we have an opportunity to make real progress in preserving our farmland. The passage of the Protecting American Farmlands Act is an essential step in this effort.”
“American farmers, especially those in Kentucky, are grappling with a steady decline in available farmland. Now more than ever, we must preserve our agricultural land and keep it in production for the next generation of producers," said Senator McConnell, a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
"The Protecting American Farmland Act reduces the tax burden on selling farmland, making it easier for retiring farmers to keep their land in the hands of those who will continue to cultivate it.”
The Protecting American Farmlands Act provides tax incentives to retiring farmers who sell their land to active producers, ensuring it remains in agricultural use rather than being repurposed for development.
The KFTI Network, along with numerous Kentucky agricultural organizations, has endorsed this legislation and is advocating for its passage in Congress.
The coalition includes groups such as the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Kentucky Poultry Federation, and the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, among others.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy