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USDA to Provide $84 Million to Protect Farm and Ranch Land

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that $84 million will be available to protect farm and ranch land through USDA’s Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

"The Bush Administration is committed to conserving our natural resources," Veneman said. "Through this program, USDA will work cooperatively with states, tribes, local communities and individuals to protect farm and ranch lands."

Through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), FRPP protects productive agricultural land by purchasing conservation easements to limit conversion of farm and ranch lands to non-agricultural uses. The Request for Proposals was published in the Federal Register, March 17, 2004.

According to Rod Egbarts, soil conservationist with NRCS in Salina, Request for Proposals will be accepted until May 3, 2004. NRCS accepts proposals from interested and eligible state, tribal and local governments and non-governmental organizations.

For those proposals selected for FRPP funding, USDA enters into agreements with selected entities to support their efforts to protect soils and historical and archaeological sites. USDA provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement.

To participate in FRPP, landowners agree to limit the use of their land for nonagricultural purposes and to develop and implement a conservation plan. To qualify, the farm or ranch land must contain productive soils or historic or archaeological sites and be:

  • part of a pending offer from a nongovernmental organization, state, tribe or local farmland protection program
  • privately owned
  • covered by a conservation plan
  • large enough to sustain agricultural production
  • accessible to markets for what the land produces and
  • surrounded by parcels of land that can support long-term agricultural production.

For a copy of the FRPP Request for Proposals or Fact Sheet, Q&A and more information regarding the program, please consult the national NRCS website

If you need more information about FRPP, please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture and visit with the NRCS or local conservation district personnel.