News Release

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM (FRPP) SIGN-UP ANNOUNCED

Updated 04/06/2009

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

771 Corporate Drive Suite 210

Lexington, KY 40503

Phone: 859-224-7350

Web: http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov

Lexington, Ky., April 6, 2009—USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky has received $2.3 million funding and is accepting applications for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

NRCS State Conservationist Tom Perrin noted that the 2008 Farm Bill provides for a continuous sign-up to allow eligible entities more opportunities to sign-up eligible parcels. Eligible entities must submit applications on or before May 15, 2009, to receive consideration for funding in fiscal year 2009. Applications received after that date will be held until the next funding cycle.

FRPP is a voluntary program that helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program provides matching funds to State, Tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations with existing farm and ranch land protection programs to purchase conservation easements. Only eligible entities may submit applications; interested landowners must work through an eligible entity to participate in FRPP.

FRPP can provide up to fifty percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement. The eligible entity is responsible for the matching funds, securing an appraisal, survey, and title search; preparing the conservation easement deed, and paying closing costs.

Application must be made by the eligible entities to the NRCS state office. Each state has application requirements specific to the state. The individual parcels will be evaluated for eligibility and quality and the highest quality parcels for which the NRCS state office has funding will be selected for funding. The ranking and selection of parcels will take place immediately after May 15, 2009.

FRPP has enrolled over 620,000 acres on 3,100 farms and ranches since Congress first authorized the program in 1996. FRPP in Kentucky has helped acquire over 160 easements on nearly 25,000 acres.

For further information, or to receive application requirements, contact Deena Wheby at 859-224-7350 or deena.wheby@ky.usda.gov.
 

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