Max Baucus: “our nation's agricultural heritage is a rich tradition, which encompasses much of what we are about as a people; hard…”

“our nation's agricultural heritage is a rich tradition, which encompasses much of what we are about as a people; hard work, common sense, and a deep respect for the land. In Montana, and in too many communities across America, our agricultural heritage is at risk. Productive farms and ranches that have been in the same family for generations are being forced to turn their back on the land they love in order to make ends meet. I applaud our current conservation easement system and the many fine non-profit organizations that have worked with landowners across America to protect millions of acres of land. The successes have been great, but so too have the lessons. What we have learned is that the current system does not work particularly well for working farmers and ranchers. That's why I've introduced the Rural Heritage Conservation Act, a creative approach that provides farmers and ranchers with a real incentive to preserve their, and our, agricultural heritage. Over the past twenty-five years, over 3 million acres of agricultural land have been lost to development in Montana alone.”