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2008 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection ProgramThe Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) is a voluntary conservation program that helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. This program provides funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farmland in agricultural uses. Working through existing programs, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) joins state, tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations to acquire conservation easements. The NRCS can provide up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value. Note: The following is for information only. There will be no further activity in 2008. NOTE: The 2002 Farm Bill expired at the end of fiscal year 2007. A new farm bill may be implemented in 2008 which could change the specific program information within these Web pages. Therefore, all information is based on past policies (2007 and before) and is subject to change at anytime after October 1, 2007. EligibilityTo qualify, the farm or ranch land must:
Application ProcessUnder FRPP, NRCS solicits proposals from federally recognized Indian tribes, states, units of local government, and non-governmental organizations to cooperate in the acquisition of conservation easements on farms and ranches.
Announcement of Program FundingThe FRPP is accepting proposals now with all proposals due by close of business April 27, 2007. Additional information about the program can be obtained at the national Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program webpage. Montana uses a Statewide Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) System in combination with the criteria listed in the Montana FRPP Ranking Worksheet to rank and prioritize proposals for FRPP. For an overview of LESA and step-by-step instructions for using Montana's LESA system see the Montana Statewide Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) System. If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Dennis Dellwo at 406-587-6748. The following documents require
Acrobat Reader. FOR INFORMATION ONLY. The following documents require
Microsoft Excel. FOR INFORMATION ONLY. 2008 FRPP Projects in MontanaWhile FRPP authorization lapsed on September 30, 2007, Congress and the President agreed to extend the program, through the Farm Bill extension, until March 15, 2008. Montana received funds in late January. Entities were contacted and based on NRCS national criteria, two projects were selected. These two projects, containing approximately 1,586 acres, will use $930,000. Due to a second extension of the Farm Bill, Montana was able to secure another $352,000 and with these funds will help to acquire an estimated 1,600 acres of farm and ranch lands. For More Information
ContactsDennis Dellwo, Program Specialist Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs Last Modified: 10/14/2008 |
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