FY 2006 Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program

Oregon is accepting applications for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program through May 11, 2006.

The Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) allows productive farm and ranchlands to remain under private ownership and agricultural production. FRPP assists states, Tribes, local government, or non-profit entities in the purchase of conservation easements or development rights on prime, unique or other productive farmland. The program also provides assistance for farms containing significant historical or archaeological resources.

See the National News Release here.

The 2006 Announcement of Program Funding for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program is posted at www.grants.gov and on the NRCS National website. Eligible Oregon entities have until 4:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 11, 2006 to submit proposals to the NRCS Oregon State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 900, Portland, Oregon 97232. For additional information about this program and 2006 funding, visit the NRCS National website.

What is the FRPP?

The Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) allows productive farm and ranchlands to remain under private ownership and agricultural production. FRPP assists states, Tribes, local government, or non-profit entities in the purchase of conservation easements or development rights on prime, unique or other productive farmland. The program also provides assistance for farms containing significant historical or archaeological resources.

Through a cooperative agreement, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides up to 50 percent of the purchase cost for perpetual easements on eligible land in Oregon.

Eligible Farm and Ranch Land

In order to be eligible for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program property must:

• Contain prime, statewide, important unique or other productive farm or ranch land, or include important historical or archaeological sites.
• Be privately owned and part of a working farm or ranch.
• Have a pending offer for purchase of development rights or a conservation easement from a state, Tribal, or local farmland protection program.
• Meet wetland conservation and highly erodible land provisions of the Food Security Act.

Who can participate?

State, Tribal, or local entities with a qualifying farmland protection program can participate. A qualifying program utilizes voluntary easements or other legal devices to protect productive farmland.

NRCS may provide up to 50 percent of the purchase cost of the easement to the cooperating entity. The cooperating entity acquires, manages, and enforces the easement.

 FY 2006 FRPP Documents 

Applications for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) for 2006 in Oregon should address agricultural and ranch lands that contain prime or high value soils. The highest priority proposals will be determined from a ranking system addressing the following factors:

• Threat of development pressure to convert from agricultural use to non-agricultural use,
• Located within a well-developed agricultural infrastructure demonstrating long-term economic viability for farming and ranching,
• Located outside of an urban growth boundary and is zoned exclusive farm use or mixed farm/forest land.
• Significant economic, social, environmental, historical or cultural benefits, and
• Pending offer to purchase a conservation easement from an entity with a reliable funding source and a demonstrated ability to acquire, manage, and enforce conservation easements.

FY2006 submission date will be announced in the Federal Register notice later the year and will be posted at this site. At that time submitted applications are to be sent to :

Bill White, Leader for Programs
Natural Resources Conservation Service
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 900
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-414-3085
FAX: 503-414-3103
E-mail: bill.white@or.usda.gov

NRCS evaluates and prioritizes the proposals based on state and national criteria. For proposals selected for participation in the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program and NRCS prepares cooperative agreements obligation the awarded funds.

For more information/assistance:

Additional information can be found at the NRCS FRPP web site. A wealth of farmland protection information is also available on the following American Farm and Ranch Land Trust Internet sites: http://www.farmland.org and the Farmland Information Center Home Page, http://www.farmlandinfo.org funded by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Technical assistance and information more specific to Oregon can be obtained from the AFT websites at: http://www.farmland.org/pnw/oregon.htm.

To acquire current information on the USDA, NRCS Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program in Oregon contact:

Bill White, Leader for Programs
Natural Resources Conservation Service
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 900
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-414-3085
FAX: 503-414-3103
E-mail: bill.white@or.usda.gov

Last Modified:  1/23/2007

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