The
State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC)
is offering a special funding round for landowners
interested in preserving their farmland by selling
their development easements directly to the state.
The deadline to apply for SADC direct easement
purchases is April 2nd. "We have $9 million available
for this special funding round," said Agriculture
Secretary Art Brown, Jr., who chairs the SADC. "Judging
by the great response we had when we offered a
similar opportunity earlier this year, we're sure
many other landowners will want to participate
in this second round." In the first special funding
round, the SADC last month approved for preservation
77 farms totaling approximately 7,700 acres at
an estimated cost of nearly $30 million. Landowners
interested in applying for preservation should
contact the SADC at (609) 984-2504 for applications
or additional information. The SADC administers
the state Farmland Preservation Program. To date,
486 farms totaling 71,224 acres have been permanently
preserved under the Farmland Preservation Program.
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