Tennessee Farmland Preservation Act Now in Effect this Month
Jul 14, 2025
With the start of the new fiscal year, the Tennessee Farmland Preservation Act is now in effect.
The Tennessee General Assembly approved the legislation in the 2025 session, allotting $25 million for the grant program for farming families across the state. These dollars will go through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
This is in response to the rapid loss of farmland across the state, as tracked by the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
In two years, the amount of land lost to development is expected to hit 2 million acres, according to a study from UTK economist Charley Martinez. As of now, Tennessee has already lost 1.5 million acres of farmland to development. If plotted out, that figure equates to the loss of six counties' worth of pasture and forest land.
“Tennessee is losing productive farm and forest land at an alarming rate,” said Dr. Charles Hatcher, Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner. “Once that land is converted to other uses, it doesn’t change back. This voluntary program provides options to preserve that land for generations to come, ensuring that agriculture and forestry remain important aspects of Tennessee’s economy, landscape, and identity.”
It took more than two years to get Gov. Bill Lee’s initiative across the finish line in both the House and Senate. The effort stalled in 2024 in the Senate without ever being taken up on the calendar for debate.
Now that it’s in effect, these dollars will create a permanent easement program. Participating farmers will receive financial compensation from the $25 million slated for the grant program. Those who choose to create an easement for their farmland can never sell it for development purposes, meaning they can only sell the land for agricultural use.
“Agriculture is the top driver of Tennessee’s economy, and our farmers play an important role in our state’s success,” Gov. Lee said. “As Tennessee experiences unprecedented economic growth and job creation, the Farmland Preservation Act ensures that family farms can be preserved well into the future. I thank the General Assembly for their partnership in supporting rural communities so that all Tennesseans can thrive.”
As written into the law, legislators will determine how much to allocate for the grant program.
For more information about the program, visit tn.gov/agriculture
Top counties ranked by highest change in developed land per the University of Tennessee-Knoxville study:
The Tennessee General Assembly approved the legislation in the 2025 session, allotting $25 million for the grant program for farming families across the state. These dollars will go through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
This is in response to the rapid loss of farmland across the state, as tracked by the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
In two years, the amount of land lost to development is expected to hit 2 million acres, according to a study from UTK economist Charley Martinez. As of now, Tennessee has already lost 1.5 million acres of farmland to development. If plotted out, that figure equates to the loss of six counties' worth of pasture and forest land.
“Tennessee is losing productive farm and forest land at an alarming rate,” said Dr. Charles Hatcher, Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner. “Once that land is converted to other uses, it doesn’t change back. This voluntary program provides options to preserve that land for generations to come, ensuring that agriculture and forestry remain important aspects of Tennessee’s economy, landscape, and identity.”
It took more than two years to get Gov. Bill Lee’s initiative across the finish line in both the House and Senate. The effort stalled in 2024 in the Senate without ever being taken up on the calendar for debate.
Now that it’s in effect, these dollars will create a permanent easement program. Participating farmers will receive financial compensation from the $25 million slated for the grant program. Those who choose to create an easement for their farmland can never sell it for development purposes, meaning they can only sell the land for agricultural use.
“Agriculture is the top driver of Tennessee’s economy, and our farmers play an important role in our state’s success,” Gov. Lee said. “As Tennessee experiences unprecedented economic growth and job creation, the Farmland Preservation Act ensures that family farms can be preserved well into the future. I thank the General Assembly for their partnership in supporting rural communities so that all Tennesseans can thrive.”
As written into the law, legislators will determine how much to allocate for the grant program.
For more information about the program, visit tn.gov/agriculture
Top counties ranked by highest change in developed land per the University of Tennessee-Knoxville study:
- Sevier
- Williamson
- Rutherford
- Montgomery
- Davidson
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Blount
- Sumner
- Hickman