A multitude of design decisions influence the performance of voluntary conservation programs. This Economic Brief is one of a set of five exploring the implications of decisions policymakers and program managers must make about who is eligible to receive payments, how much can be received, for...

Agriculture could play a prominent role in U.S. efforts to address climate change if farms and ranches undertake activities that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. These activities may include shifting to conservation tillage, reducing the...

This paper looks at the design and operation of the main program in Maryland, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund (MALPF). We examine the features of the program in comparison to possible alternative designs. Our broader purpose is to examine the nature of farmland preservation and...