Photo contributed by Hidden Valley Gem Farms / Chattanooga farmlands are at risk of loss due to suburban sprawl.A short drive outside of Chattanooga immerses you in some of the most idyllic farmland in the Southeast. Craggy limestone cliffs and forested coves hug soft, rolling green hills where local farmers cultivate produce, organic meats and award-winning cheese.
With fertile soils and seasonal climates, this region encompassing Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Alabama and Northwest Georgia has a longstanding agricultural heritage. However, it is often the case that these types of lands face a great risk of development.
Areas suitable for agriculture often overlap with locations of suburban development. According to the National Land Cover Database, since 2001, the greater Chattanooga region has grown in population and built infrastructure, but lost an alarming 145 square miles of rich farmland. While growth is good and necessary for many communities, the people who live here deeply desire to grow in a way that enhances the natural character and supports local economic systems, including farming.
Thrive Regional Partnership, a regional placemaking nonprofit, aspires to empower the region's working lands to maximize their production and economic value, reduce the rate of farmland loss, and foster connectivity among peers in the region's agricultural sector.
Thrive's FarmConnect tool is designed to support regional farmers and landowners make sound, data-driven decisions to enhance the production, profit and environmental value of their properties. Using GIS technology, area farmers and producers can use the FarmConnect tool to discover funding opportunities and programs from federal and state governments, as well as local land trusts, to build a legacy landscape for future generations.
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A new tool is helping connect farmers with place-based resources to ensure a legacy for their land (Sponsored Content)
The FarmConnect tool is currently available for use, and Thrive is actively seeking feedback to improve the interface and content. Visit Thrive's website to access FarmConnect and share your review.
Visit thriveregionalpartnership.org/projects/farmconnect
What can you find on FarmConnect?
> Funding opportunities, including financial assistance and technical support to farmers to grow their businesses
> Conservation and wildlife resource programs, enhancing environmental legacy through restoration, conservation and even ecosystem services through healthy farming practices
> Energy and technology support programs, helping farmers make energy efficiency improvements or implement renewable energy practices
> Networking and education programs, offering learning and communication opportunities among peers and producers
> Equity resources, including links, and more for BIPOC landowners and producers who have been historically underrepresented in land management and ownership