Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program

The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program was established by the Georgia General Assembly in collaboration with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper and industry partners to protect Georgia farmland. With Georgia estimated to lose upwards of 800,000 acres of farmland by 2040, the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund is a critical resource to ensure agricultural land in Georgia is protected.
 
The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund will enable selected Georgia farmers to voluntarily protect their farms in perpetuity by providing financial assistance to extend conservation objectives. Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocates $450 million every year to match dollars within state farmland conservation programs. At the state level, the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program will be funded by appropriations designated by the state legislature, as well as public or private grants, dedicated gifts, and donations.
 
The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program will make those funds available annually to prospective qualified easement holders who have a project proposal that has been reviewed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and selected by the Georgia Farmland Conservation Council. The primary purpose of these prospective projects will be the conservation of farmlands that are threatened by development and the support of active farming and food production in this state.
 
The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund Program was established in 2023 by Senate Bill 220. The governing statute can be found in O.C.G.A. § 44-10-40 through § 44-10-47 (please see documents below for additional background information).

Landowners will work with a land trust to complete the application and submit before May 20, 2026

The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Farmland Conservation Advisory Council will review applications and the Council will make decisions on awards.

Selected applicants will be notified in August 2026. 

February 20-May 20: 2026 Application Period Open 

Access the application here.

Please submit via email to gafarmlandconservation@agr.georgia.gov or mail to 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334 (postmarked before May 20). 

Late applications will not be accepted for consideration.