While landowners have the right to sell their property, we need a policy that provides strong financial incentives to keep productive farmland in agriculture, discouraging sales to solar developers and real estate projects. This plan offers substantial tax breaks, including income tax deductions and estate tax exemptions for landowners who maintain their land for agricultural use. Additionally, landowners could place their land into long-term conservation easements, receiving direct financial payments to keep farmland from being converted into solar farms or housing developments. For those interested in renewable energy, the policy encourages dual-use agri-solar systems, where solar panels are installed without disrupting farming activities, ensuring land remains productive. To further incentivize preservation, landowners committing to development-free zones could benefit from property tax reductions and income support payments, creating ongoing revenue that rivals the potential profits from selling land.
Moreover, landowners practicing regenerative agriculture would qualify for carbon credits, providing an additional income stream and encouraging environmentally sustainable farming. The plan also promotes participation in local agricultural co-ops and resource-sharing networks, where farmers can access equipment and infrastructure, helping them reduce operational costs and make farming more profitable. To balance the demand for renewable energy and housing, the policy would prioritize solar and real estate development on marginal or non-prime land, offering fast-track permitting and subsidies to developers who avoid prime farmland. By creating a robust mix of tax incentives, conservation programs, and alternative development options, this policy ensures that prime farmland remains dedicated to food production, supporting both economic and environmental goals.