This information is based on the Public Notice of Request for Proposals for the Farmland Protection Program published in the Federal Register May 28, 1997. The program provides funding to State, local, or tribal entities with existing farmland protection programs to purchase conservation easements or other interests. The goal of the program is to protect between 170,000 and 340,000 acres of farmland. How FPP works USDA joins with State, local, or tribal governments to acquire conservation easements or other interests from landowners. Participating landowners choose to keep their land in agriculture and agree not to convert the land for nonagricultural use.
Landowners retain all rights to use the property for agriculture.
All lands enrolled must have a conservation plan developed according to the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. Applications for the FPP come from States, tribes, and local governments that have existing farmland protection programs. Priority is given to applications that strive for perpetual easements, although a minimum of 30 years is required. Applications that protect locally significant lands are also considered if they are economically viable units. For More Information NRCS, the Farm Service Agency, Extension Service, or local conservation district can provide more information.