USDA to Provide $2.5 Million for Protecting Ohio Farmland - Application Deadline - May 27, 2009
 

Contact: Julia Zehner – 614-255-2477

COLUMBUS - Terry Cosby, Ohio State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today the agency has received $2.5 million through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) to protect valuable Ohio farmland.

“This program helps ensure that critical productive land remains in agricultural use,” said Cosby. “The funds will be used to purchase conservation easements to limit conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses.” Since 2002, NRCS has provided $21.36 million to protect over 25,000 acres of farmland in Ohio.

NRCS will accept FRPP applications from interested State, tribal, and local governments and non-governmental organizations until May 27, 2009. For those applications selected for funding, NRCS will enter into an agreement to support efforts to protect soils and historical and archaeological sites. NRCS provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. Funds will be awarded to the highest ranked eligible applications through a statewide, competitive process. Applications submitted after May 27, 2009, will be held for Fiscal Year 2010 funding consideration.

Any State or local government or nonprofit organization that has the capability to acquire easements may apply for FRPP funds by submitting an application. Eligible entities must demonstrate a commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands, a capacity to acquire and manage easements, have pending offers on a farm(s), and available funding to match Federal funds.

Eligible farmland must be privately owned, subject to a pending offer, and contain at least 50 percent prime, statewide, or locally important farmland soils. In addition, the farm must include at least one-third cropland, grassland, and pastureland of the total acreage.

Additional information on FRPP and application materials is available at www.oh.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or by contacting Julia R. Zehner, FRPP Manager, at
(614) 255-2477.
 

#
 

< Back to News Releases