Old Drake’s Post

Hoosiers care deeply about their lands, waters, fields and wetlands. Our ‘Hoosier Hospitality’ not only comes from the strength of our commitment to community and family, it also comes from our hard work to sustain our land, enjoy its beauty and thrive agriculturally. From the Indiana Dunes to McCormick’s Creek, Hoosiers love to spend time outdoors. But, over the recent decades and just this legislative session, we’ve lost hundreds of acres of wetlands because politicians have bowed down to developers. Wetlands provide habitat for wildlife, reduce flooding, improve the water quality and fend off extreme weather. We must do more to protect Indiana’s wetlands and natural resources against overdevelopment and corporate greed. These developers are also not paying their fair share of taxes, and continue to destroy our land against our communities’ voices and even ignore our elected officials. Protecting the wetlands is just one example of how we can strengthen our environmental sustainability. Our leaders can take these steps to help preserve our land and help our economy: 📣 Invest in renewable and sustainable infrastructure 📣 Expand the sustainable clean energy economy 📣 Create more renewable energy jobs Let’s stop caving to greedy developers who hurt our communities by polluting our land for a quick buck. It is both a moral and economic imperative to protect the lands so that we can pass them on to future generations. #EnvironmentalProtection #Wetlands #Agriculture #Sustainability #ClimateProtection #Environment #HoosierHospitality #StopCorporateGreed

Policy and Planning Resources for Town from Maine Farmland Trust helps people supporting local farmland in their own communities make an impact right where they live. More from MFT: "From balanced solar siting policies to comprehensive plans and tax programs, municipalities have an important role to play in protecting farmland from being lost to development, helping farm businesses thrive, and ensuring that local ordinances and planning initiatives respond to the diverse needs and goals of farmers in their communities. How can your community support its local farms?" Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eWE3uJGF

The Loss of Farmland: What It Means for You Indiana’s farmland is disappearing—3.5% lost since 2010, with much of that loss happening near growing cities. As urban areas expand, more and more valuable farmland is being converted, raising concerns about the future of agriculture and food security. At Kraft Real Estate, we understand the importance of preserving farmland, not only for current owners but for future generations. Whether you’re looking to sell, buy, or hold onto your land, it’s crucial to make informed decisions in a changing market. We’re here to help you navigate these shifts and protect the long-term value of your property. Farmland is more than an asset—it’s part of Indiana’s legacy. Let’s work together to ensure it remains a cornerstone of our future. #FarmlandLoss #PreservingFarmland #IndianaRealEstate #LandSales #KraftRealEstate

I know Brooks Lamb, the author this article, and we work together in preserving working family farms. He talks about his family farm in middle Tennessee, but here in the eastern part of our state we are going through the same issues. If you want to know more about how you can keep local east TN farmland productive please reach out to me.

In the American Southeast, owning a forest means having a mailbox full of offers to buy it. For townhomes. Businesses. Cropland. But the land would suffer. Natural biodiversity would fall to urbanization. And an essential region for long-term reforestation could be cleared away. For landowners, the money doesn’t matter. Even when disastrous hurricanes tear through the area, the work gets challenging, or money starts to run low. When faced with a world of challenges that could tempt anyone to cut their losses and move on, they’re staying rooted. We're grateful that we get to work with local, thoroughly vetted partners who give landowners in the Southeast the financial boost they need to keep forestland, forestland. It allows landowners to hold true to their values, and the forests to survive for generations more. “The money doesn’t matter to me. I’m not interested in selling anything. God’s not going to make any more land, so if you got something, you better hold onto it. Just keep it in its natural habitat and pass it on down to your children.” https://lnkd.in/gBDCbh4P

Want to see what over $25 billion in California farmland sales looks like? Tune in this Thursday for a live discussion and Q&A on California farmland values. (And yes, if you sign up you get the recording) #landinvesting #landvalues #californiaag #innovation

When evaluating markets, remember it's not rocket science—information is readily available! 📈 Focus on overall numbers, like actual population growth, rather than just percentages. A small market can show a huge percentage increase but have minimal real growth. Don't discount your local market even if it's not a top grower. Knowing your backyard well can uncover hidden opportunities. Get more tips and insights by clicking the link in our bio! 🌟 #RealEstate #Investing #SmartGrowth #VestRight #LandDevelopment #LandOwners 

“#Giant farms have turned #Arizona’s remote #deserts about 100 miles #west of #Phoenix as #green as #fairways — the product of #extracting an #ocean of #groundwater to grow #alfalfa for #dairy cows. #Water experts say the #pumping is #sinking poor #rural towns. The #ground in #parts of La #Paz County has #dropped more than #five feet during #three decades of #farming. #Pipes and home #foundations are #cracking. #Wells are running #dry.” “#Rural residents say they are particularly #vulnerable. They have #fewer sources of #water and #less money than #big cities like Phoenix for larger reservoirs or #new wastewater treatment plants. And they do #not have the authority of #urban areas to #stop #unlimited water #pumping.” “She #pointed out that she and Gov. Katie Hobbs, a #first-term Democrat, had gone after a #Saudi-owned #farm in La #Paz County soon after #taking office last year. #Critics said the farm, #Fondomonte, had been #pumping nearly #unlimited amounts of #water on #land that it leased #cheaply from the #state to grow #alfalfa for #export to the #Middle East. Ms. Hobbs #canceled Fondomonte’s #leases on #state land; the #company is #appealing.”

🌾 Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage in Sumner County 🌾 As a graduate with a Bachelor's in Agriculture, I'm passionate about maintaining Sumner County's agricultural integrity. Growing up in this community, I value the balance between suburban amenities and preserving our open land and rural charm. This is an area where I differ from many in the real estate industry. While I support local builders and believe in responsible new construction, I stand firmly against overdevelopment without restrictions. Personal Example: One of my most nostalgic roads is Long Hollow Pike. I drove it every day in high school, and it’s the road that has connected me to almost every local horse barn I've ever loved and ridden at. I don't want that beautiful main country road to end up needing to expand prematurely due to more and more subdivisions popping up. Sure, there are already some subdivisions on Long Hollow Pike, and they’re great, but they’re also spread out. I don’t want to see horse farms and cattle operations being encroached upon by developers. It's also a hazard for the animals, but that's a whole other Ted Talk. Earlier this year, a colleague told me, "More development means more opportunity for you to make money." This made my blood boil!! News Flash: I don’t just sell "houses"; I sell "communities." Our balance of suburban amenities and rural charm is what makes Sumner County special. We need responsible development that respects our agricultural roots. Why Attend the Public Hearing? Resolution 2024-01 proposes a Rural Preservation (RP) zoning district for Sumner County, allowing ONE dwelling per FIVE acres. This is crucial for protecting our agricultural areas. 📅 Date: Tuesday, May 21 | 5:00PM 📍 Location: Sumner County Admin. Bldg. Bethel Brown Commission Chambers 355 N. Belvedere Dr, Gallatin Let's support this resolution to keep our agricultural heritage intact. Your voice matters! 📢 Share this post and contact your local representatives to support Resolution 2024-01. 🌾 Preserving our agricultural lands is my mission. Let’s protect our heritage for future generations. #sumnercounty #responsibledevelopment #agriculture #ruralpreservation #communityfirst #sustainablegrowth #keepitrural #AgCommunity