The Partnership of Rangeland Trust (PORT) is celebrating 20 years of efforts to conserve working lands across the West and Midwest amid growing challenges in agriculture. Established in 2004, PORT is a coalition of nine land trusts dedicated to preserving farms, ranches, and grasslands threatened by industrialization and urbanization. The alliance has successfully helped over 2,000 families conserve more than 3 million acres in 12 states, advocating for voluntary conservation programs that benefit agriculture and rural communities.

With a recent decline of over 141,000 farms and ranches nationwide, PORT emphasizes the urgency of land conservation, particularly with the 2024 farm bill discussions underway. In past negotiations, PORT helped secure an increase of $2 billion in funding for voluntary conservation efforts, which support critical programs like the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. These initiatives empower landowners and contribute to food production, environmental health, and rural economies, reinforcing the importance of maintaining well-stewarded working lands for future generations.