Farmland Protection Sign-ups Announced

Applications due November 16, 2012 for funding consideration

MORGANTOWN, WV, September 21, 2012—State Conservationist Kevin Wickey, of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS) announced the fiscal year 2013 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) sign up. Applications need to be submitted by close of business on November 16, 2012 to NRCS State Office in Morgantown, WV.

The FRPP is a voluntary program that helps farmers preserve their agricultural land. The program provides matching funds to state, or local governments, and non-governmental organizations with existing farmland protection programs. The funds are used to purchase conservation easements that limit non-agricultural uses of the land.

USDA provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement in the voluntary program. The landowner retains ownership and continues to use the land for agricultural purposes.

Landowners interested in protecting their land should contact their local Farmland Protection Board or NRCS office. Contact information for Farmland Protection Boards is at www.wvfarmlandprotection.org. Contact information for NRCS local offices can be found at www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov

For further information, contact Bill O’Donnell, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs at (304) 284-7543 or bill.odonnell@wv.usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

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