FUSA paysagère de Memphré

Cultivating our land, together

Preserving living landscapes for Future Generations

The rural landscapes that define the MRC of Memphremagog territory are the result of generations of farmers and agricultural businesses that have shaped the land. Today, however, several factors are threatening this balance:

Rising farmland values
Limited access to land for young farmers
Agricultural abandonment
Progressive reforestation of former farmland
Residential development pressure in rural areas

To preserve biodiversity and sustaining local food production capacity, it is essential to keep cultivated and pastures actively managed.

Why Protect Agricultural Land ?

To Ensure Food Security

Agricultural land is a limited resource. Although nearly half of the territory is designated as permanent agricultural zone, only 9 % of the land is currently used for agricultural purposes - a decline of almost 4 % over the past 16 years. This loss of productive farmland is roughly equivalent to the size of the Municipality of Hatley. The trend continues today. In 2023, nearly 3 % of the territory (or 4 000 hectares) was identified as fallow land - former farmland that is no longer cultivated.

Once lost or fragmented, productive farmland is difficult to bring back into agricultural production. Protecting these lands is essential to maintain our capacity to feed ourselves.

To support the Next Generation of Farmers

Many established farmers ans aspiring producers struggle to access affordable farmland. Preserving the agricultural use of land helps create opportunities for future generations to establish their farming activities.

To Promote Biodiversity

A balanced landscape includes both forestes areas, lakes, wetlands and vibrant agricultural lands that support a wide range of wildlife species. Barn birds such as swallows and grasslands birds such as Bobolink rely on open habitats, including hayfields and pastures, for nesting.

To Preserve Memphremagog's Agricultural Heritage and Scenic Landscapes

Fields, pastures and open views are an integral part of our collective identity and of the region's appeal. The abandonment of agricultural land directly affects the landscape through the loss of barns, the significant decline of grazing livestock and the graual disappearance of our agricultural heritage.

Our vision: A living, Productive and Accessible Landscape

We envision a territory where:

Agricultural lands remain productive
Farmers have access to affordable land
Communities benefit from fresh local food
Landowners have practical tools to protect their legacy

The solution: The Memphremagog Landscape land trust (FUSA)

A tool in Service of the Community

An Agricultural land Trust - La fiducie d’utilité sociale agricole (FUSA) of Memphremagog - is a legal tool designed to permanently protect the agricltural purpose of a property for the benefit of the community. The land trust serves a clear mission: to maintain agricultural use of land over the long term with an environmentally responsible farming practices. The FUSA of Memphrémagog:

Reduce speculative pressure on farmland
Maintain agricultural activities
Preserve agricultural heritage
Improve access to farmland
And, as a result, preserve rural landscapes

What can the land trust do for you ?

Are You a Farmer?

The FUSA of Memphremagog can help you:

Preserve your vision for your land
Keep farmland accessible
Support the long-term sustainability of agricultural activities
Facilitate farm succession and establishment

Are You Landowner?

The FUSA of Memphremagog can help you:

Preserve your vision for your land
Ensure its agricultural use over time
Protect strategic portions of your land
Leave a lasting legacy for future generations

Are you a resident?

You benefit from:

Local food production
Preservation of the region's rural character
Protected scenic agricultural landscapes
A vibrant agricultural economy

Be part of the initiative

How does the FUSA work ?

Here are the service options offered by the Memphremagog Landscape FUSA:

Protect Agricultural Use on Part of Your Property
→ Agricultural use is guaranteed for a specified period of time
Protect Agricultural Use on Your Entire Property
→ The land is permanently removed from real estate speculation and dedicated to agricultural use. The FUSA ensures that the property continues to be farmed by agricultural producers following sound agro-environmental practices
Protect a Scenic View Corridor on Part of Your Property

→ The agricultural potential may be limited, but the scenic value is high and visible from public roads. The FUSA helps preserve these important visual landscapes for a specified period of time, for example through seasonal mowing and land management practices.