Austin City and Travis County prioritize farmland preservation in food plan

The Austin - 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force meeting on August 25, 2025, focused on the critical issue of farmland preservation as part of the city's comprehensive food plan. This plan, developed with extensive community input and adopted by both the city and Travis County last fall, aims to ensure a sustainable food system in the region.

A key point discussed was Goal 1 of the food plan, which emphasizes the importance of protecting productive and affordable farmland. The working group from the Food Policy Board has been tasked with creating recommendations for how the City of Austin can effectively invest in farmland preservation. One significant strategy highlighted is the use of general obligation bonds to fund land conservation efforts. These funds could be utilized for purchasing land outright or establishing conservation easements, which would help attract additional investments from federal and local agencies, as well as private donors.

The meeting underscored the urgency of the farmland preservation challenge in the Austin area. Between 2007 and 2022, the region lost over 64,000 acres of farmland, a decline of nearly 25%. Currently, the area is losing more than 6,000 acres annually to development, threatening the region's most productive soils. The speaker emphasized that preserving farmland not only supports the food system but also contributes to other city priorities, including watershed protection, flood mitigation, and habitat preservation.

The task force was urged to include farmland preservation plans in the upcoming 2026 bond package proposal, highlighting the essential role of public investment in safeguarding this vital resource. The discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for proactive measures to protect farmland and ensure a resilient food system for the future.