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Farm group urges protection of farm, ranch land

The American Farmland Trust is urging the Biden administration to protect at least 30 percent of farm and ranch land and water by 2030. 

AFT says from 2001 to 2017 nearly 18 million acres of farmland, ranchland and forest were converted into urban areas threatening biodiversity through the loss of habitat.  

AFT says less than one percent of this habitat rich land is permanently protected. The ‘30×30’ goal seeks to protect five percent of ‘vulnerable’ working lands and 25 percent of working lands.  

AFT Research Director Mitch Hunter says farmers and ranchers are ‘essential allies’ to conserving wild habitats. He says the U.S. needs bold, new approaches to effectively protect biodiversity and the climate.