warow says , “ we realized we didn ’ t have that much , although we had gained a ton of great experience .” Moving back to Loudoun County to start their farm was an easy decision , at least at first . The excellent soils , supportive farming community , and large consumer population drew them , as did an offer to lease acreage that they hoped would lead to long-term land security . When that situation
fell through after one year , Carlberg went to work to find Fireside a lasting home .
As climate change threatens the productivity of farmland in California and the Midwest , says Chris Van Vlack , Urban and Agriculture Conservationist at Loudoun County Soil and Water Conservation District and member of Save Rural Loudoun , it is even more crucial to protect the best farmland in the Mid-Atlantic region for a wide variety of crops and livestock . According to AFT ’ s report , “ Virginians can slash conversion , save farmland and safeguard the future of agriculture and the environment by choosing compact development .” For farmers like Carlberg and Gustowarow to have a chance at continued success , protecting farmland throughout the community is paramount .
AFT ’ s Farmland Information Center ( FIC ) completed detailed analyses of Virginia ’ s farmland protection efforts , both past and present . According to the FIC , the total amount of verified permanently protected farmland with an agricultural conservation easement in Virginia — 74,353
According to the American Farmland Trust June 2022 report Farms Under Threat 2040 : Choosing an Abundant Future , Virginia could lose up to 594,100 acres of farmland by 2040 if current development trends continue . Loudoun County is projected to be one of the hardest-hit counties in the state , losing over 27,000 acres of farmland . Sixty-two percent of the Loudoun County farmland converted to other uses will be some of the state ’ s most productive and resilient land .
acres — is roughly one percent of the Commonwealth ’ s farmland . This is far below the levels in other Mid-Atlantic states , where Maryland has protected 30 percent of its farmland , Delaware 25 percent , and Pennsylvania 9 percent .
Protected farmland does much more than just grow food – even food as delicious as Fireside Farm ’ s . It yields environmental , ecological , and economic benefits , too . For example , AFT ’ s New York Greener Fields report found that farmland in that state produces 66 times less greenhouse gas emissions than developed land -- just one reason why protected farmland is a pivotal tool in the fight against climate change .
A prior AFT report showed that Virginia ’ s policy response to farmland threats is also significantly less robust than those in Maryland , Delaware and Pennsylvania . On average , these three states spend almost 40 times as much per capita on farmland protection efforts as Virginia . In addition , Virginia lags behind its neighbors in planning for agriculture , with limited incorporation of farmland protection into state , regional , and local planning and zoning conversations .
Loudoun County ’ s rural development cluster zoning ordinance , adopted in 2006 , was originally intended to preserve agricultural land by allowing dense development in rural areas while maintaining larger lots for farming . However , according to Van Vlack , in many cases the clustered housing is built on the best agricultural soils while the resulting ‘ rural economy lot ’ is relegated to steep slopes and flood-prone , rocky or hydric soils . It ’ s logical for prime farmland to be desirable for both development and agriculture , Van Vlack points out , since it ’ s well-drained , open , and level . But for the farmer , says Carlberg , land isn ’ t optional . “ In this county ,” she says , “ there are individuals who have been buying up a lot of land to preserve it , but it is also an investment , as land is a very valuable asset . But for a farmer , having land is the only way you can do your job .” And it ’ s harder to do that job well when farming is relegated to more marginal lands .
While looking for a permanent home for Fireside Farm , Carlberg says , they “ heard everything that people hear . One of us should get a ‘ real ’ full-time job . We should move three hours away from here . Those
18 wander I fall • winter 2022