This is a prime example of why donating to non-profit conservation organizations is key to preserving productive farmland. Conservation Districts do some protection of ag lands but their requirements are really strict. For instance, you can have a handful of applicants that are nearly identical but if one is adjacent to an already preserved farm, then that applicant is the most likely to get the preservation dollars. The farm located next to an existing development is least likely to be preserved, even tho its preservation is most likely to keep it from being developed. At the same time, that big paycheck from the developer is hard to turn down. For older farmers, that paycheck funds their retirement.