Farm Conservation Goes Social With The Yard Project

July 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Boscawen, NH:  A brand new way of conserving farmland is born in New Hampshire.  Capitalizing on the Farmville phenomenon where over 80 million people play a virtual farming game through Facebook, The Yard Project allows real life based farm conservation to have a foot in the virtual world.  Visitors to http://www.TheYardProject.com can virtually sponsor a square yard on a real farm.  Their sponsorship allows them to determine how the funds are distributed to local farmers and how the land is utilized.  

Along the way they are provided agricultural education and connected to local farmers.  

The Yard Project has three main goals:
•   Protect farmland from development.
•   Promote sustainable organic agriculture.
•   Assist local farmers.

With the purchase of the Silver Farm in Boscawen, NH The Yard Project has already reached 10% of its 5 year goal to conserve 1,000 acres of farm land.  The Yard Project has a presence in Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  The Yard Project has representation in San Francisco, CA, New York, NY and Concord, NH. They are seeking sponsors to raise funds for farm conservation and Eco-Evangelists to spread the word of the importance of farmland conservation.
 
According to the 2007 National Resources Inventory report America lost over 4 million acres of farmland between 2002 and 2007 – that is nearly the size of the state of Massachusetts.  They estimate we lose on average one acre of agricultural land per minute.

After a decade working for a top 25 internet company, CareerBuilder.com, the Founder Mason Donovan saw an opportunity to harness the voice of millions to save America’s rapidly disappearing family farms. “If we could devote just 10% of our time and resources put into playing a virtual farming experience like Farmville, we could make a profound impact on creating a sustainable agricultural base for America,” Donovan said.

To become a sponsor, visit http://theyardproject.com/tell-me-how-it-works/donate . If you would like to become a Eco-Evangelist visit http://theyardproject.com/silver-farm/your-acre .

About The Yard Project

The Yard Project is a new social media movement to protect farm land from development and promote sustainable farming through participatory micro-financing. As a sponsor you vote on how the land is utilized, naming rights, and which local farming projects will be financially supported through grants. If you like going to farmer's markets, buying organic food, enjoying the scenery of an undeveloped farm, this project is for you.

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The Yard Project is a new social media movement to protect farm land from development and promote sustainable farming through participatory micro-financing. As a sponsor you vote on how the land is utilized, naming rights, and which local farming projects will be financially supported through grants. If you like going to farmer's markets, buying organic food, enjoying the scenery of an undeveloped farm, this project is for you.