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Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

Cascade Ranch, CA

First established in 1996, the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) provides matching grants to states, local, tribal and non-profit entities for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements. The program is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The program was reauthorized at significantly increased levels in the 2002 Farm Bill. Beginning with an authorization of $50 million in 2002, funding levels increased to $100 million in 2003, $125 million in both 2004 and 2005, $100 million in 2006, and $97 million in 2007. As of the end of fiscal year 2006, more than 475,000 acres of farm and ranch land have been protected through this program.

Under current rules, FRPP funding is provided through a grant to the applicant that must be matched with a 50 per cent share of non-NRCS funds. In addition, up to 25% of the easement's value can be donated by the landowner and counted as match. Grant applications are submitted by a state or local entity, or eligible non-profit, to the State Conservationist, a federal employee who oversees all programs in that state.

Existing FRPP program criteria require that eligible FRPP projects must be threatened by development and located near agricultural infrastructure and markets. Ranking criteria include agricultural significance and relative size of the property, as well as other factors described in the program's rules. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to farmland protection through the use of farmland protection techniques and by establishing a capacity to monitor and enforce conservation easements. Farm conservation plans must be implemented on all FRPP projects, and there must be a pending offer from the landowner.

The program will be reauthorized as part of a new Farm Bill that Congress is considering this year. Exactly what funding level or statutory changes will be is unknown at this time.

For more information on the FRPP program, please reference the U.S. Department of Agriculture site.

Updated 10/2007