5b. County_ATCFPB Recommendation_Land Acquisition-01.21.25 — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for Farmland Acquisition and Preservation in Travis County WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in the Capital Region is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed a Resolution of Support for the Austin-Travis County Food Plan on October 29, 2024, whose goals and strategies prioritize addressing local food security and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan’s Goal 1 prioritizes expanding community food production, preserving agricultural lands, and increasing the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin and Travis County; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.1 of the Food Plan calls for the preservation of land for food production in Central Texas through conservation easements, fee-simple purchases, and land-banking, ensuring that farmland remains dedicated to agricultural use; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.2 directs the City of Austin and Travis County to pursue capital funding sources to finance the conservation of land for agricultural use through conservation easements or direct purchases; and WHEREAS, Travis County has successfully managed agricultural leases on 845 acres of agricultural land through the Parks Land Stewardship Program; and WHEREAS, Travis County currently operates a Conservation Easement Program allowing landowners to preserve agricultural, natural, or cultural resources while retaining ownership of their property. This  program, funded by voter-approved bond funds and supplemented by donations, has successfully preserved significant tracts of land and helps protect vital resources such as watersheds, wildlife habitats, and agricultural lands; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Easement Program has been a key tool for Travis County in its efforts to protect land from development, with more than $24.9 million approved by voters between 2011 and 2017 for the purchase of easements. The program prioritizes properties in conservation corridors and those with significant environmental or agricultural value, aligning with the broader goals of the Austin/Travis County Food Plan to protect farmland for regenerative agriculture and promote local food systems; and WHEREAS, the success of the Conservation Easement Program demonstrates that Travis County has the infrastructure in place to effectively support farmland preservation initiatives. This program’s focus on protecting working farms and ranches directly contributes to the County’s goals of promoting sustainable agriculture, local food production, and climate resilience; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends that Travis County expand and build upon the success of the Conservation Easement Program and the Parks Land Stewardship Program by establishing dedicated funding and a countywide land acquisition and preservation strategy. This strategy should prioritize the protection of agricultural lands at risk of development, with a focus on supporting farmers and ranchers who employ sustainable and regenerative practices. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends Travis County explore the creation of a revolving loan fund or other funding mechanisms to further support the purchase of conservation easements and agricultural land preservation, similar to existing bond-funded initiatives, to preserve agricultural land in perpetuity through either simple fee purchase or conservation easements. The County’s leadership in helping create a working lands fund would also attract private investment and philanthropy funds, with the potential to scale the impact of the County’s investments. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages Travis County direct County staff to undertake an inventory of land that could be targeted for acquisition, preservation, and used for agricultural purposes. Acquired lands should be protected in perpetuity through conservation easements and then sold or leased to farmers or organizations producing food for the community. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board recommends identifying existing County-owned lands that could be converted to agriculture. This land could include public right of way, floodplain buyout, or land that is slated for long term development. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: (Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, 4-3 vote with names of those voting no listed) Attest: _____________________________________________  (Staff or board member can sign)