2009 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program Sign-Up Announced

SYRACUSE, New York, May 6, 2009 – The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) administered by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is accepting applications for funding on a continuous basis. NRCS New York State Conservationist, Astor Boozer, noted that the 2008 Farm Bill provided for a continuous signup to allow eligible entities more opportunities to sign up eligible parcels. Eligible entities must submit applications on or before June 1, 2009 to receive consideration for funding in fiscal year 2009. Funds must be obligated by July 15, 2009.

Only eligible entities may submit applications of eligible farm and ranch land. Eligible entities are State, Tribal, or local governments and non-government organizations that meet specific requirements. The entities must have an established farm and ranch land protection program, have the authority to hold and manage easements; have the capacity to acquire, manage, and enforce the easements; and the funds to match the Federal contribution.

The FRPP can provide up to fifty percent of the appraised fair market value of the easement on the farm or ranch. At least fifty percent of the appraised fair market value of the easement must be provided by the eligible entity. Landowners may accept less than the appraised fair market value of the easement; the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price the landowners are willing to accept is considered a landowner donation. The eligible entity must provide at least twenty-five percent of the purchase price in cash. The eligible entity must also secure the appraisal, survey, and title search, prepare the conservation easement deed, and pay for the closing.

Land proposed for funding in FRPP must meet one of three eligibility categories: contain at least fifty percent prime and unique farmland soils and soils of Statewide and local importance; contain historic or archeological resources; or contain land that supports the farm and ranch land protection policies of state or local programs.

Owners of the parcels must have an adjusted gross income of less than one million dollars and be in compliance with the USDA highly erodible land and wetland compliance requirements. Eligible Entities must submit an FRPP application form (CPA-1200), NY 2009 FRPP Supplemental Form, and any additional supporting documentation to be considered for funding by June 1, 2009. Entities and landowners will be evaluated for eligibility. Eligible applications will be evaluated and ranked by June 12, 2009. The highest quality parcels for which the NRCS state office has funding will be selected for funding.

NRCS will obligate funding for the selected parcels in a cooperative agreement with the eligible entities which submitted the application. FRPP has enrolled over 620,000 acres on 3,100 farms and ranches since Congress first authorized the program in 1996.

Interested landowners can get more information and apply by visiting NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.

Additional conservation program information is available at the NRCS New York - Programs Web page, or the NRCS National Web site.

Contact Information

Resource Conservationist / FRPP Manager

Mike Fournier
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6543
Fax: 315-477-6550

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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