2012 Tennessee Farmland Legacy Conference Set for Nov. 1 - 2

NASHVILLE - The 2012 Tennessee Farmland Legacy Conference “Planning Today for Tomorrow’s Farms” will be held Nov. 1 at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tenn. 

Nov. 1 will be a day of information, networking, questions and answers from professionals in the fields of farmland preservation, farm and estate planning, land and community planning and more. A reception honoring Century Farmers and open to all conference participants will bring the workshop to a close. On Nov. 2, an optional tour (included with registration) will visit the Sanders Spring Forest Century Farm founded in 1808 in Dickson County. 

This conference will benefit farmers, landowners, city and county planning officials, elected leaders, community planners and others who are inspired to help preserve and protect Tennessee farmland. General and breakout sessions and panel discussions with well-known speakers and experts on a variety of topics will offer invaluable resources, information and knowledge to Tennessee landowners, farmers, community planners and officials. A special general session, “Voice of the Community,” will be presented by representatives from Robertson County speaking on their current Comprehensive Plan project with a direct focus on protecting and enhancing the county’s agriculture economy and farmlands.  

Lunch speakers will be the 2012 Tennessee Young Farmer Achievement Award winners, Josh and Julianna Ogle, from Lincoln County, discussing their farmland operations. University of Tennessee specialists will also speak about farmland legacy workshops across the state and the land-linking program.  

Workshop sessions include leasing and rental of farmland, conservation easements and programs, timber management, estate planning, small acreage production, and updates on estate taxes. There will also be community and planning topics such as comprehensive planning and other tools that localities can use to support agriculture. 

Nationally-known speaker Jolene Brown from West Branch, Iowa, will present the final afternoon general session entitled, “If We Huff and Puff, Will We Blow Your House Down?” in what promises to be an upbeat, interactive session, taking a look at the tools needed to build a strong family farm business.   

The conference host, the Tennessee Farmland Legacy Partnership, is dedicated to preserving family farms and productive farmland in Tennessee. The Partnership is dedicated to raising awareness, among farmers and other landowners, as well as government, business and civic leaders of the need and opportunities for farmland preservation in the state, including the preservation of rural values.

The Tennessee Farmland Legacy partners are:  
  --  Tennessee Department of Agriculture
  --  Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation
  --  The Land Trust for Tennessee
  --  The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
  --  Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
  --  Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
  --  Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
  --  Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
  --  Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  --  Cumberland Region Tomorrow
  --  The Foothills Land Conservancy
  --  USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  --  USDA Rural Development

Early registration continues now through October 26. Register by that date to obtain early registration fee:  Farmer $25; Others $50 
Late Registration (Oct. 27-Nov. 1) is:  Farmer $50; Others $100.   

For more information about the 2012 Farmland Legacy Conference, and to register, visit the website at www.farmlandlegacy.org, or call the University of Tennessee Conference Services at 865-974-0280.