Farmers and ranchers in Florida received good news recently.

Two major rural land conservation programs, the federal farm bill and the state's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program were approved recently.

These programs can help family farmers hold onto their land by providing them with cash payments or tax incentives.

With over 1 million acres of our best farm and ranchland being lost each year, it is critical to protect this strategic American resource.

Congress approved the $307 billion farm bill on May 22 when the House and Senate voted to override a presidential veto.

The 34-page trade section that was missing from the Senate's bill may be resolved as a separate bill sometime in June.

The farm bill includes about $30 billion for farmers to idle their land and for other environmental programs.

Congress supported major new funding for the Farmland Protection Program and Grassland Reserve Program.

Both programs purchase conservation easements.

Congress supported a two-year extension (retroactive to the beginning of this year) of the increased tax incentive for donations of conservation easements that expired on Jan. 1.

The increased conservation easement tax incentives, that are part of the farm bill, allow qualifying farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100 percent (landowners 50 percent) of their income the year of the conservation easement donation.

It also allows the remaining value of the donated easement to be carried forward for 15 years with the remaining value deducted from their income.

Agriculture makes up Florida's second-largest industry and contributes over $87 billion annually to the state's economy.

Florida ranks first nationally in citrus production, second in vegetables and horticulture, and fourth in silviculture.

In Duval County, the value of agricultural products sold in 2002 totaled $22 million (2002 Census of Agriculture NASS).

These rural land conservation programs will help ensure that agriculture is a viable and thriving part of Duval County's local economy.

Please show your support! Contact U.S. Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson and thank them for voting for the farm bill.