DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Farmland Partners today announced that it has joined Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture as an associate member.
Field to Market’s more than 165 members – spanning the agricultural supply chain including farmer organizations, agribusinesses, brands and retailers, research institutions, and conservation organizations – work together to foster continuous improvement and increased transparency in the sustainability of commodity crop production. FPI is the first real estate investment trust (REIT) to join the organization and represents one of the association’s largest landowners.
“We believe that farmers are tremendous stewards of the land, maximizing food production for a growing world population while decreasing its environmental impact,” said FPI President Luca Fabbri. “Agriculture will continue to make advancements on the sustainability front, and it will be important to arm farmers with the tools and resources they need to voluntarily implement the practices that make the most sense for their operations. Field to Market agrees and plays an important role in farm sustainability.”
Fabbri noted that FPI’s tenants are already embracing the latest agronomic techniques, technologies, and conservation practices to drive efficiency and preserve the land they farm. According to a tenant survey released by the Company in April, 97% of respondents said that they invest in soil health, 94% practice conservation tillage, 87% use variable rate application technology to apply crop inputs, and 51% participate in federal conservation programs.
The survey also found high adoption rates for other environmental strategies, such as grassed waterways or buffer strips to slow runoff and trap soil sediment, planting cover crops, and the use of diesel exhaust fluid to reduce emissions from farm equipment.
“We are excited to welcome Farmland Partners to our membership and look forward to working closely with them as we continue to focus on defining, measuring, and advancing the sustainability of America’s food, feed, fiber, and fuel production,” said Field to Market President Scott Herndon.
About Farmland Partners Inc.
Farmland Partners Inc. is an internally managed real estate company that owns and seeks to acquire high-quality North American farmland and makes loans to farmers secured by farm real estate. As of the date of this release, the Company owns and/or manages nearly 195,000 acres in 19 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. We have approximately 26 crop types and more than 100 tenants. The Company elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2014. Additional information: www.farmlandpartners.com or (720) 452-3100.
About Field to Market
Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant, and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring, and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. Field to Market is comprised of over 165 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain. Additional information: https://fieldtomarket.org/.
