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Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program – 2008 Farm Bill

Updated: 1/23/2013

The purpose of the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) is to facilitate and provide funding to cooperating entities to purchase easements that preserve the agricultural use of land. FRPP funds may be used to match other funds and resources in order to purchase easements of farmland in North Carolina. FRPP is not a grant program. Accepting FRPP funding constitutes an agreement to partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in acquiring the proposed easement. USDA will review appraisal and title work, conduct an on-site investigation and landowner interview, conduct a hazardous materials search and carefully review and approve easement language to ensure that USDA legal and program requirements are met.

The application deadline for Fiscal Year 2013 FRPP funding consideration is February 15th, 2013 by 4:00pm. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for Fiscal Year 2013 funding. Applications which were not funded in previous years may be re-submitted in the 2013 funding cycle using the 2013 program application process. Applications must be printed single-side. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.

Submit applications to:


Assistant State Conservationist – Easement Programs
USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service
4407 Bland Rd., Suite 117
Raleigh, NC 27609
 

Questions regarding FRPP applications should be directed to North Carolina Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Easement Programs Staff: Assistant State Conservationist for Easement Programs at 919-873-2103; Stephanie Goglia, Program Specialist at 919-873-2134; or Lynn Marotta, Easement Specialist at 919-873-2168. Communication early in the application process will help you understand current FRPP rules and efficiently develop a complete and competitive application.
 

Cooperating Entities

Eligible entities include:

  • Any agency of any State or local government or federally recognized Indian tribe (including a farmland protection board or land resource council established under State law).
  • Any non-governmental organization that:
    - Is organized for and, at all times since the formation of the organization, has been operated principally for one or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    - Is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of that Code that is exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code.
    - Is described in paragraph (1) or (2) section 509(a) of that Code; or is described in section 509(a)(3) of that Code and is controlled by an organization described in section 509(a)(2) of that Code.

Land Eligibility

Eligible land is privately owned farm or ranch land that contains one of the following:

  • At least 50 percent of some combination of prime, unique, and/or farmland of statewide or local importance unless otherwise determined by the State Conservationist, who may approve a reduction in soil percentage requirements.
  • Historical or archaeological resources.
  • Land that furthers the policy of a State or local farm and ranch land program as part of a systematically protected area.

Landowner Eligibility

Eligible landowners must certify that they are in compliance with Wetland Conservation and Highly Erodible Land provisions of the Farm Bill before the cooperative agreement is signed with a given entity. Contact the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) and NRCS offices for additional assistance as needed. Parcel owners must certify with the Farm Service Agency their compliance with these provisions at the time of signup for FRPP.

As of September 30, 2012 the average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations under the 2008 Act expired and legislation has not been enacted to reauthorized or extend the average AGI limitations beyond the 2012 crop, program, or fiscal years. AGI will not be required for FRPP until further notice.

National program information, fact sheets, and other information

2013 Application Materials, Instruction, Guidance, and Information

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Program Contact

Stephanie Goglia, Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Easements & Water Resources, 919-873-2134