The Farmland Policy Protection Act (FPPA) is intended to minimize the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses. It assures that-to the extent possible-Federal programs and funded activities are administered to be compatible with state, local government units, and private programs and policies to protect farmland. For the purpose of the FPPA, farmland includes prime farmland (prime soil characteristics), unique farmland (high value specialty crops), and land of statewide or local importance. Farmland subject to FPPA requirements does not have to be currently used for cropland. It can be forest land, pastureland, cropland, or other land, but not water or urban built-up land.
If your project is located outside incorporated city limits on land that is currently farmed or on land that could be farmed, then you will need to determine if prime or unique farmland is present.