Grant Award for Land Transfer

We know that 40% of farmland in this country is owned by people of retirement age.  Some of these folks have heirs who want to farm, while others do not.  Regardless, plans need to be made to transfer some 370 million acres of land to the next generation in a fairly short period of time.  To assist farmers and landowners in our area, TLT received a grant from the American Farmland Trust (AFT) to participate in their Land Transfer Navigator program.  This four year program will pay for staff time to receive training in land transfer and land access opportunities.  TLT will then host educational events and create materials for those in our area who are starting to think about transitioning land.  “The average age of a farmer in Ohio is 58 years old.  Now is the time to start planning for land transitions and looking for ways for new and underserved farmers to get access to land,” says Michele Burns Executive Director of Tecumseh Land Trust.  AFT says, “The goal of the Land Transfer Navigators program is to dramatically increase the transfer of farm and ranch land to a new generation of producers. The program will catalyze practitioners from across the country to support equitable farm and ranch transfers that work for both entering and exiting generations.”  TLT is excited for this generous opportunity and looks forward to collaborating with AFT once again.  Check out our website and social media for upcoming events over the next four years.