Georgia Is Losing Farmland at a Rapid Pace: What It Means for Landowners, Developers and Investors

Atlas Real Estate Advisors  /   August 27, 2026

As Georgia continues to experience record population and economic growth, the demand for land has never been greater. At the same time, the state is facing an important question: How do we balance growth with the preservation of one of Georgia’s most valuable resources—its farmland?

Georgia’s agricultural industry contributes tens of billions of dollars to the state’s economy each year and remains Georgia’s largest industry. Yet, as communities expand and demand for housing, industrial facilities, data centers, and commercial development continues to grow, farmland is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the state could lose approximately 800,000 acres of farmland by 2040—roughly 10% of its existing agricultural land.

That statistic has sparked a statewide conversation about growth, conservation, and the future of Georgia land.

Growth Is Creating New Opportunities

From a commercial real estate perspective, Georgia has become one of the nation’s most attractive states for investment in:

• Residential communities
• Industrial parks and distribution centers
• Data centers
• Retail developments
• Mixed-use projects

For many farmland owners, these trends have dramatically increased land values. Properties that once held value primarily for agricultural production are now being evaluated for future development potential. In many parts of Georgia, including our homebase of Oconee County and Athens-Clarke County, landowners are receiving offers that would have been difficult to imagine just a decade ago.

A New Conservation Option for Georgia Farmers

Recognizing the pressure facing agricultural landowners, Georgia recently launched the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund, a program designed to help preserve working farms without requiring families to sell their land outright. The program allows qualifying landowners to enter into agricultural conservation easements by selling the future development rights to their property while continuing to own, farm, lease, harvest timber, or pass the land to future generations. The first funding round includes $2 million in state funding, which can be combined with federal, local, and nonprofit matching dollars. While the current funding level is modest compared to similar programs in states such as Florida, the creation of the fund represents an important milestone for Georgia’s agricultural community.

Development and Conservation Don’t Have to Be Opposing Goals

It’s easy to frame this discussion as a choice between development and farmland preservation, but the reality is far more nuanced. Not every farm is best suited for development, just as not every property should be permanently protected through a conservation easement. Georgia needs new housing, industrial facilities, retail centers, and infrastructure to support its growing population and economy. At the same time, preserving productive farmland helps sustain the state’s largest industry, protects rural communities, and maintains open space that contributes to Georgia’s quality of life.
Every property—and every landowner’s goals—are different.

Making the Right Decision Starts with Understanding Your Options

For many families, farmland represents more than an investment. It may have been passed down through multiple generations, making the decision to sell, develop, or preserve emotionally and financially complex.Before making that decision, landowners should understand questions such as:

• What is the property’s current market value?
• Does it have future commercial or residential development potential?
• Would a conservation easement better align with long-term family goals?
• What are the tax implications of each option?
• How will nearby infrastructure and population growth affect future value?

There is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer.

How Atlas Can Help

At Atlas Real Estate Advisors, we work with landowners, developers, investors, and agricultural property owners throughout Georgia and the Southeast. We don’t recommend development or permanent conservation at every opportunity. Instead, we help clients understand the highest and best use of their property, evaluate current market conditions, and make informed decisions that align with their financial and personal objectives. Whether a property is best suited to remain in agricultural production, transition into commercial development, become a conservation easement, or be held for future appreciation depends on many factors—including location, infrastructure, zoning, market demand, and family priorities.

If you’re considering buying, selling, or developing Georgia farmland, evaluating commercial land, or simply want to understand the future potential of your property, Atlas Real Estate Advisors can help you navigate today’s market with data-driven insight and decades of experience in land brokerage across