Protecting Working Lands:Through USDA Conservation ProgramsDenise ColemanNational Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program ManagerUSDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

2002 Farm Bill: Changing the Focus

Conservation Programs

Easement Programs Cost-Share Programs Stewardship Program

Easement Programs for Working Lands

Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

Grassland Reserve ProgramEstablishes a reserve of restored, improved or natural grasslands, rangeland and pastureland while allowing lands to be grazed

Program capped at 2 million acres

Not less than 40 contiguous acres of land

Provides for 10, 15, 20, and 30 year rental agreements, as well as, 30 year and permanent easements

How GRP Works:

Continuous sign-up. Applications may be submitted to USDA Service Center for conservation easements or rental agreements at any time.

Limit future use of the land while retaining the right to graze, produce hay, mow or harvest for seed production (subject to nesting season restrictions for certain bird species)

Easements Held By the United States

Eligible Lands

Grassland or land that contains forbs or shrubs; Land that is located in an area that historically has been

dominated by grassland, forbs, and shrubs and has the potential to provide habitat for animal and plant populations of significant ecological value;

Incidental lands may also be enrolled; and Lands owned by individuals who do not exceed $2.5

million for the three tax years immediately preceding the year the contract is approved (an exemption is provided in cases where 75% of the AGI is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry operations).

Enrollment Options

Permanent Easement: Based on the appraised fair market value, less the grazing value

30-year Easement: Easement payment equal to 30% of fair market value, less the grazing value

Rental Agreement: Annual payments not to exceed 75% of the grazing value of the land for the life of the agreement.

Restoration Agreement: 90% cost share for lands that have never been cultivated; 75% on restored grasslands (in-kind contributions allowed)

Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program The purpose of FRPP is

to provide matching funds to State, Tribal and local governments and nongovernmental organizations to purchase permanent conservation easements for the purpose of protecting topsoil by limiting nonagricultural uses of the land.

Eligible Lands Farms or ranches must be privately owned and contain:

at least 50% of prime, unique, or statewide or locally important soil, or

a historical or archaeological resource on the State or National Register, or formally eligible for the National Register.

Includes cropland, rangeland, grassland, and pasture land, as well as wetlands and incidental (less than 50 percent) forest land that are part of an agricultural operation.

Eligible land must be owned by landowners who certify that they do not exceed the Adjusted Gross Income limitation eligibility requirements.

Subject to a pending offer. Pending offer is defined as a willing seller and willing buyer, with cash or donations in hand at the time of application.

How the Program Works:

NRCS uses a public notice process to request FRPP applications from eligible governmental entities and non-governmental organizations.

During the application window, eligible entities submit parcels that they would like to protect.

At the State level, NRCS funds applications that meet FRPP national and state criteria.

$497 million authorized level

Ineligible Lands

Public Land, unless the acquisition is temporary and the land is transferred prior to easement closure.

Land that is already subject to an easement or other deed restrictions that prevents its conversion to non-agricultural use.

Land owned by a Trust, whose purpose is to protect historical or natural resources, such as open space, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources, unless the acquisition is temporary and the land is transferred prior to easement closure.

Land owned or operated by a landowner not in compliance with highly erodible land or wetland compliance provisions.

Applying for FRPP1. State Office Develops State FRPP Plan2. Landowner Submit Applications to Participating Entities3. National Office Issues Request for Proposal4. Participating Entities Submit Applications to NRCS State Office5. State Conservationist Determines Eligibility 6. State Conservationist Rank Applications

Submitting an Application:Necessary InformationOrganization and Program Information Demonstrated Commitment (years, staff capacity,

funding) Demonstrated Capability to Hold and Manage

Easements (easement acreage) Demonstrated Staff Capacity Demonstrated Availability of Funds Title and Appraisal Policy Pending Offers ($ in hand)

Submitting An ApplicationLands to Be Acquired

Map of Proposed Parcels

Amount and Source of Funding Available

Acquisition Criteria

Detailed Description of Parcels

Map of Other Protected Parcels

Estimated Easement Cost

Current Appraisals (parcels receive higher ranking)

Submitting An ApplicationLands to be Acquired Cont.

Example of Proposed Easement Deed

Indication of Accessibility to Markets

Indication of Existing Agricultural Infrastructure

Indication of Development Threat

Other Assessment Factors

Other Partners

Any State Required Information

Alabama Facts-2003

FRPP-$1.2 million to protect 622 acres on four farms

GRP-nearly $1 million, approximately $300,000 devoted to easement acquisition

FRPP & GRP Information FRPP website:http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/fpp/ GRP website:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/GRP/

FRPP Manual website:http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/M/M_440_519.htm