Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farm and ranch land in agricultural uses. Working through existing programs, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service partners with State, tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations to acquire conservation easements or other interests from landowners. The USDA provides up to 50 percent of the fair market value to purchase a permanent conservation easement. 

To qualify, farmland must: be part of a pending offer from a State, tribe, or local farmland protection program; be privately owned; have a conservation plan for highly erodible land; be large enough to sustain agricultural production; be accessible to markets for what the land produces; have adequate infrastructure and agricultural support services; and have surrounding parcels of land that can support long-term agricultural production. 

Depending on funding availability, eligible groups must submit their proposals to the Georgia NRCS State Office during the application window, which is established nationally each year.  For 2007 funding, applications must be received in the Georgia NRCS State Office by close of business April 27, 2007.

Key Changes

• All easements must be closed out within 18 months of signing of the Cooperative Agreement.
• All appraisals must meet Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA).

Georgia 2007 FRPP Documents

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Brochure
Sponsor Cover Letter
Application Checklist
Application Guidelines
Ranking Worksheet
Sponsor Information
Steps for Funded Sponsors

Additional Information

• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program - Announcement of Program Funding
• Conservation Programs Manual - Part 519 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
• The Land Trust Alliance has helped build a strong land trust movement in America and provides contact information for private organizations interested in supporting FRPP applications and proposals in Georgia.
• The Farmland Information Center is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship. It is a partnership between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and American Farmland Trust.

Contact

David A. Lamm, Asst. State Conservationist (Programs)
(706) 546-2272

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