Farmland Preservation

Farmland Preservation:
The Heffron family has always had a passion for the land and the crops that grow on it. Today more of our food comes from other parts of the world, making it harder to find locally grown food. If we expect to be able to buy food grown locally in the future, it is vital that we protect the land now for future generations. Currently, Michigan is losing approximately 85,000 acres of farmland each year to other uses.

In addition, there are environmental benefits of farm land, wildlife habitat, rural character and scenic attributes.

The Heffron family is involved with efforts to preserve farmland in Kent County and supports the Kent County Purchase of Development Rights Program (PDR). This program will permanently preserve farmland for generations to come. Kent County has one of the best programs in the State of Michigan. Landowners are compensated for the development portion of the value of the land.

If you would like more information on this, you may contact http://www.accesskent.com/YourGovernment/BOC/PDR/

Other organizations that are working to preserve farmland are:

Citizens for Kent County Farmland and Open Space Preservation
Contact: Nancy Benner at P.O. Box 804, Ada, Michigan 49301.

American Farmland Trust
Contact: Scott Everett at www.farmland.org or
1501 North Shore Dr. Suite B, East Lansing, Mi 48823