genesis land conservancy
PHOTO: The land near Lloydminster came to Genesis as a charitable gift.

| farmland preservation |

Just as fishermen don’t need to own the sea, farmers don’t need to own the land.

- Walter Nisbet
in Groundings newsletter, Spring 2002

Everyone who lives on the Saskatchewan prairies has some connection with the land. They may farm as a career, have relatives who farm, or know people who farm. They may grow a garden or get involved with community environmental projects. They may eat foods processed from the fields and herds of Saskatchewan farms. Or they may just appreciate the beauty of the prairies -- lush and green in spring and early summer, turning to a golden expanse in late summer and fall, and leading to the still and pristine winter. Everyone is connected with the land, a staple of our livelihood and our culture. For this reason, we must preserve the land. We must take care of it so the soil remains fertile for future seeds, herds and people.

Genesis operates a land trust, a non-profit organization that works with landowners and local groups interested in preserving farms. Land trusts focus on different subjects, including: prairies, forests, wildlife habitats, wetlands, lakes, scenic areas, etc. Genesis focuses on agricultural land. Genesis will keep the land in its possession, using long-term leases to keep it in operation. Genesis will not sell your land and use the finances in a different place for a different purpose.

Lessees are selected based on their agricultural background, their goals and their need. Genesis Land Conservancy looks to help beginning farmers when selecting tenants for the land in the land trust. Through this, Genesis hopes to reduce the farmers’ debt and financial difficulty while ensuring that farming will continue for another generation.

Community benefits of land placed in trust:

• Access to a maintained land base for rural and urban people.
• A resource base can help alleviate poverty and hunger.
• Community involvement with and on the land is increased.
• Farm land, watersheds and wildlife habitat are protected.
• Sustainable land management is promoted and will preserve healthy land for future generations.

Advantages of a land placed in trust:

• Land will stay in local hands.
• Land will be maintained for agricultural use.
• Land will be managed with attention to land stewardship and sustainable production.
• Land owners may determine who will operate on land they have provided to the conservancy.
• A tax receipt will be issued for donations of land, cash and gifts promised in the form of bequests.