farmland

In 1927, Wisconsin decided to re-flood farmland that had replaced Horicon Marsh; a new dam revived a wetland that hosts up to 200,000 geese each fall

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From a drained and abandoned marsh to a refuge for wildlife, the comeback took decades. (AI-generated/ChatGPT)

Wetlands don’t often get second chances, but Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin did. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources describes its history as a change from wetland to wasteland and back again. The marsh now covers about 32,000 acres, and huge flocks of geese stop there each fall. It was the result of decades of work … Read more

After more than six generations of family ownership, a Massachusetts nonprofit raised over $4.9 million to buy 5.23-acre Holly Hill Farm and permanently protect the centuries-old piece of farmland

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After more than six generations of family ownership, a Massachusetts nonprofit raised over $4.9 million to buy 5.23-acre Holly Hill Farm and permanently protect the centuries-old piece of farmland

For generations, Holly Hill Farm belonged to the same family. Now, after more than six generations of White family ownership, the 5.23-acre Massachusetts property has been secured for the future as a working farm, thanks to a fundraising effort by Friends of Holly Hill Farm (FHHF), according to a report by Cohasset Anchor. The nonprofit … Read more

South African mining tycoon Neal Froneman to spend $402 million turning a 600-hectare farmland into a Formula 1 circuit to bring racing back to the country by 2031

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South African mining tycoon Neal Froneman to spend $402 million turning a 600-hectare farmland into a Formula 1 circuit to bring racing back to the country by 2031

A South African consortium led by former Sibanye-Stillwater executive chairman Neal Froneman is exploring a $402 million project to turn a 600-hectare farmland into a Formula 1 circuit in order to bring racing back to the country by 2031, as per a report by Business Tech.Blue Mountain Racing has secured about 600 hectares in Swartland, … Read more

An Iowa family lived on and worked its farmland for 84 years as Tom Woods gradually expanded the operation; now 1,209 acres are being split into 13 tracts and auctioned, ending a family land chapter

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An Iowa family lived on and worked its farmland for 84 years as Tom Woods gradually expanded the operation; now 1,209 acres are being split into 13 tracts and auctioned, ending a family land chapter

For 84 years, the Woods family lived on and worked a growing patchwork of farmland near Randalia in northeast Iowa. Tom Woods, who grew up in the area, steadily added acres to the operation as properties and funds became available, raising grain and cattle while also helping run a family wholesale business. Now that long … Read more

Philip Rietveld assembled nearly 1,500 acres of Illinois and Indiana farmland over his lifetime; after his death in 2026, his family sold 23 tracts for $22.46 million, with one fetching $32,600 an acre

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Philip Rietveld assembled nearly 1,500 acres of Illinois and Indiana farmland over his lifetime; after his death in 2026, his family sold 23 tracts for $22.46 million, with one fetching $32,600 an acre

Over a lifetime of careful acquisitions, Philip Rietveld built a portfolio of nearly 1,500 acres of productive farmland across Illinois and Indiana. After his death in 2026, his family moved to sell the holdings through a two-day, two-state auction that drew bidders from seven states. The 23 tracts changed hands for a combined $22.46 million, … Read more

In 2019, Jack Johnson’s foundation bought neglected farmland in Hawaii; six years later, it reported over 40,000 pounds of produce harvested and more than 2,200 students welcomed on field trips

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In 2019, Jack Johnson's foundation bought neglected farmland in Hawaii; six years later, it reported over 40,000 pounds of produce harvested and more than 2,200 students welcomed on field trips

Photo credit: KĹŤkua Learning Farm In 2019, musician Jack Johnson’s KĹŤkua HawaiĘ»i Foundation acquired neglected farmland on OĘ»ahu with a plan to turn it into a place for education, food production and community involvement. Six years later, the KĹŤkua Learning Farm had reported harvesting more than 40,000 pounds of produce and welcoming over 2,200 students … Read more

A Massachusetts farm stayed under one family’s care for a century and was cultivated for more than 200 years; a 2025 conservation purchase protected over 120 acres of farmland and forest for the future

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A Massachusetts farm stayed under one family's care for a century and was cultivated for more than 200 years; a 2025 conservation purchase protected over 120 acres of farmland and forest for the future

More than 120 acres of historic farmland and nearby woodland in Essex, Massachusetts, have been permanently protected from commercial housing development after a major conservation deal was completed in early 2025. According to project details published by the Essex County Greenbelt Association, the regional land trust worked with local town leaders and state environmental agencies … Read more

California turns 67 acres of former farmland into wetlands and grasslands; restored Carr Lake landscape opens September 20

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California turns 67 acres of former farmland into wetlands and grasslands; restored Carr Lake landscape opens September 20

The project is designed to recreate a historic wetland landscape that existed in the area more than a century ago California is turning 67 acres of land once used for agriculture into a restored floodplain with wetlands, grasslands and public trails. The restoration area at Ensen Community Park in Salinas is being developed by Big … Read more

In 2019, a Norfolk farm began giving 500 acres of marginal farmland back to nature; three years later, average plant diversity had doubled and ex-arable plots rose from 7 to 32 species

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In 2019, a Norfolk farm began giving 500 acres of marginal farmland back to nature; three years later, average plant diversity had doubled and ex-arable plots rose from 7 to 32 species

When Wild Ken Hill, a coastal farm in Norfolk, began transforming 500 acres of poor, marginal farmland in 2019, the aim was to let nature recover with as little intervention as possible. Three years later, a repeat vegetation survey found that the average number of plant species in open parts of the rewilding area had … Read more

In 1842, a North Carolina mission school began on mountain farmland; 184 years later, an 86.7-acre easement completes protection of land stewarded there for 130 years

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In 1842, a North Carolina mission school began on mountain farmland; 184 years later, an 86.7-acre easement completes protection of land stewarded there for 130 years

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, a quiet story of faith, education and land stewardship has unfolded over nearly two centuries. In 1842, a mission school opened on what was then rugged mountain farmland in the Valle Crucis valley, near present day Boone. For more than 130 years, religious and educational … Read more