These working lands not only provide food and fiber, but also water, wildlife habitats and open space that  all Texans enjoy.

The  Texas Ag Land Trust strives to conserve these valuable working lands with tools and programs that work for farmers and ranchers. Over the past year, we have worked with  Congressman Mike Conway (R- Midland), Chair, US House Committee on Agriculture, to reform the  Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) found in the recently-released 2018 Farm Bill.

 

ACEP provides a voluntary opportunity for farmers and ranchers to sell their development rights, thus ensuring that the property remains agricultural land forever. The landowner retains title and continues to pay taxes. He or she can continue to farm or ranch the property, which will also provide those public benefits - water, wildlife, open space - forever!

 

We commend Chairman Conaway and the Committee members for their hard work to make ACEP work for Texas' producers.   Please contact your US Representatives and Senators to express your support!

It is with tremendous sadness that we report that Julie Kelleher Stacy lost her battle with cancer last week.  

 

Julie's affection for rural Texas was cultivated in the rugged expanse of Brewster County and the limestone hills of Kendall County. Julie had a gentle, kind demeanor, and was a staunch supporter of Texas Ag Land Trust and our mission to conserve Texas' working lands.  Her passion for land conservation was personal, as evidenced by an email she sent Blair Fitzsimons after the organization successfully closed the 17,000 acre Decie Ranch easement near Marathon.  Sitting on the front porch of the Catto Gage ranch house, Julie was looking across the valley towards Decie and the Glass Mountains. She was so proud, she said, to have a had a role in protecting that little piece of Texas - forever.

 

Julie will be deeply, deeply missed.