South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster just signed into law the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act (South Carolina General Bill HS951), aimed at preserving family farms and curbing agricultural land loss to development.
The law establishes the Working Farmland Protection Fund that will support landowners in conserving working agricultural land through voluntary conservation easements.
As more people and businesses move to our state, we must protect our farmlands from overdevelopment. Yesterday, I signed a bill that provides farmers with a cost-effective option to keep their farms and ensure that our state's most valuable lands aren't lost forever. pic.twitter.com/PlcHEK2PDL
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) April 24, 2024
According to the SC Conservation Bank, there were over 300,000 acres of farmland lost over the past 10 years due to development and urban sprawl.
Under the new law, landowners deriving at least half of their income from farmland can access matching grants for qualified projects, ensuring land remains in agricultural production. The Conservation Bank will assess eligibility based on various criteria, including landowner authority, conversion threats, soil classifications, agricultural infrastructure, economic viability, natural resource values, and community service aspects.
What do you think about the new law?
