5. Presentation regarding Farmland Acquisition and Preservation — original pdf

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Investing in Farmland Preservation & Access in Central Texas Austin -Travis Couty Food Policy Board Commissioners Andy Smith, Matt Simon, Marissa Bell Food Access & Resilience Crisis • Less than 1% of food consumed in Travis County is produced locally. • More demand than supply - Central Texas’ production cannot realistically meet its total demand for food. ⚬ When prices rise, local food becomes inaccessible for families and small businesses • COVID-19 showed our fragile supply chain ⚬ Local producers were more resilient and quick to respond. Sources: 2022, City of Austin, State of the Food System Report; Central Texas Food Bank, Central TX Food System Dashboard Farmland Access Crisis Source: Central Texas Food Bank, Food Systems Dashboard Now is the cheapest and easiest time to break the cycle. Ripple Effects of Losing Farmland: • Food System Resilience ⚬ Less local food production capacity • Water & Flooding ⚬ Increased runoff, reduced aquifer recharge Remaining land becomes more valuable • Climate ⚬ Lost carbon sinks, more emissions from development • Biodiversity ⚬ Habitat loss and ecosystem function decline • Local Economy ⚬ Fewer viable farms, lost green jobs Farmland Preservation Supports Many City Priorities and Goals Austin-Travis County Food Plan: Food Plan Strategy 1.1: Preserve land for food production Food Plan Strategy 1.2: Pursue capital funding sources, such as general obligation bonds, to fund the conservation of agricultural land. Source: 2024, City of Austin, Austin-Travis County Food Plan Austin already protects land for water, wildlife, and open space. The same tools can be used to protect land for food production. Sources: (Austin Water, WQPL program, 2022; PARD, Our Parks, Our Future Plan, 2020; Austin Water BCP;) Case Study: Wilbarger Creek Conservation Alliance (WCCA) • 1978: Jon Beall acquires Three Creeks Farm after military retirement • 2011: Begins conservation easement discussions with Hill Country Conservancy • NRCS Funding: $1M awarded through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (predecessor to Regional Conservation Partnership Program – RCPP) ⚬ 2017 Easement Secured: with NRCS funds and matching funds from Travis County and others, the Wilbarger Creek Conservation Alliance protected 2,000+ contiguous acres of farmland. • Ongoing Stewardship: Land leased to sustainable agriculture producers aligned with conservation goals. Meet our WCCA Farmers: The Refugee Collective • Leased 20 acres since 2018 • Employs refugees in fair-wage, dignified work • Produces certified organic vegetables & eggs – 50,000+ lbs annually • Employs 10 year-round staff, paying $300,000+ in full and part-time wages • Implementing Texas’ first Resilient Farm Plan ⚬ 1.2 tons/ac/yr of carbon sequestered, improving soil water-holding capacity (add’l 11 million gal of storage after 20 years), and improved wildlife habitat Meet our WCCA Farmers: Geosmin Regenerative Farm • Leased 10 acres since Jan 2022 • Mission: grow food that heals, educates, and builds community • Produces 13,680 lbs pasture-raised chicken & 12,319 lbs eggs annually • Employs 1 full-time + 1 part-time staff, paying ~$59,700 in wages • Provides affordable land access, enabling new farmers to start operations Meet our WCCA Farmers: Hot Spell Farm • Leased 2 acres since 2023, cooperatively-owned and operated • Produces 10,000+ lbs of vegetables annually ⚬ Including food for local school meal programs! • 5 staff positions created • Provides critical land access for new farmers, removing financial barriers to starting a farm. “It's hard to put into words how much this opportunity has provided me. I do not own land. I have a home in town. If I hadn't found Jon's land to lease - affordably and at a reasonable distance - I wouldn't be farming. There were no other options out there. I am insanely lucky.” - Geosmin Regenerative Farm ”The resource that Jon has provided all of us with is immeasurable. Land acquisition is an immense financial hurdle for up-and-coming farm businesses, either requiring prior wealth or committing to 5 or 6 figure debt. Our arrangement is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and without it, we would never have been able to start Hot Spell as a group of young people living in Austin.” - Hot Spell Farm Now Therefore Be it Resolved... Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: 20251020-05 • Dedicate Funding: Make a one-time allocation of $15 Million in the 2026 General Obligation Bond to pilot a farmland preservation program • Pursue Federal Funds: Leverage bond funding through applying for the USDA-NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) • Collaborate regionally: Form a broad regional collaboration among Central TX city/county governments and non-profit organizations to preserve farmland • Utilize existing partnerships and programs: Work with Travis County’s Conservation Easement Program for the acquisition and administration of conservation easements Source: ATCFPB Recommendation 20251020-05