Overview

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) is a Federal program managed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The goal of the program is to protect farm and ranch lands that contain prime, unique, or statewide and locally important soils or historic and archaeological resources from conversion to non-agricultural uses. The program preserves valuable farm and ranch lands for future generations. USDA NRCS achieves this goal by working cooperatively with State, Tribal, and local governments and non-governmental organizations.
Cost-share availability

For Federal fiscal year 2007, the SADC was provided a Federal cost-share grant in the amount of $2.3 million for the preservation of farmland. This funding will be used to provide a 20 percent Federal cost-share on the purchase of development easements on eligible farmland. The Federal cost-share must be based on the current fair market value of the development easement. For farms located in the Highlands region, the SADC will apply the entire 20 percent Federal grant against the local cost share. This can result in a significant savings to the county and/or municipality.
Impervious cover language

Landowners who agree to accept federal funds will be required to include deed restrictions that are specific to the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. One of the requirements is a restriction on impervious coverage allowed on the premises:
  • Depending on how the application ranks with regard to its size, percentage of important soils (prime, statewide, unique and locally important), and location in particular population densities, the amount of impervious cover will vary between two and six percent. For more information, please refer to the USDA NRCS' Conservation Programs Manual at 519.89 - Exhibit J.
  • Any farm less than 50 acres is eligible for one acre of impervious cover.
  • Landowners are also required to implement a farm conservation plan on highly erodible soils. The NRCS is responsible for preparing a farm conservation plan in cooperation with the landowner to address any conservation needs.
For more information

To learn more about the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, please contact the SADC at (609) 984-2504, or visit the USDA NRCS' Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program website.