The trend obviously can't continue forever because there won't be any ag land base left.'' Since 1995, the association has used a nonprofit, private land trust to help ranchers stem the losses, working with those who want to preserve their land but also want a tax break or a chance to benefit from the hot real estate market. In the trust, ranchers place a conservation easement on their land, forfeiting the right to develop or subdivide the property. In return, the Internal Revenue Service taxes the land based on its lower, agricultural worth - rather than its value if developed. The move helps ease inheritance taxes. The trust holds the land easement, but not the title.
Ranchers can get a tax benefit for giving up development rights, or can opt for money.
The approach is catching on, with a similar trust forming in California and frequent queries coming to Sherrod from elsewhere. Saving agricultural land means not only maintains habitat for wildlife, open spaces and scenery, but also preserves an important industry, Sherrod said.