United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Oregon Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content





Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) - FY 2013


Application cutoff date is April 19, 2013. Applications must be received at the local NRCS office by April 19th to be considered for ranking.

General Program Description

The Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) is a voluntary program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) whose purpose is to protect agricultural lands by limiting non-agricultural uses. NRCS partners with approved state, local units of government, and certain non-profit entities who arrange for the purchase of development rights through conservation easements on private lands. The entity holds and manages these conservation easements in perpetuity.

NRCS does not accept applications from individual landowners for this program. Landowners must work through an approved entity to participate in FRPP.

Entity Eligibility Criteria Parcel Eligibility

Any state or local unit of government, or qualified non-profit organization can apply for FRPP funds by demonstrating:

  • A commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands

  • A capability to acquire, manage, and enforce easements

  • Sufficient staff dedicated to monitoring and easement stewardship

  • The availability of matching funds

Eligible entities who have parcels selected to receive FRPP funding will sign an agreement with NRCS. Within 30 days of agreement signing, the entity will be required to submit a draft easement deed for NRCS approval.

Parcel Eligibility

Eligible land must:

  • Be privately owned

  • Meet at least one of the three following eligibility requirements:

    • Contain at least 50% prime, unique, statewide, or locally important farmland

    • Contain historical or archaeological resources

    • Further a State or local policy consistent with the purposes of the program

  • Be subject of a pending offer from the entity

  • Contain cropland, grassland, pasture land, or forest land that contributes to the economic viability of an agricultural operation

  • Not include forest land of greater than two-thirds of the easement

  • Possess on-site and off-site conditions which will allow the easement to be effective in achieving the purposes of the program

The eligibility of the land and the landowner for each parcel must be established at the time the parcel is submitted for potential funding.

Documents below require Acrobat Reader.

For each parcel, the landowner's legal name and contact information must be provided. An application form NRCS-CPA-1200 (PDF, 131 KB) must be completed by the owner(s) of each parcel and submitted by the entity as part of the application package. Additionally, a CCC-901 (PDF, 258 KB)  Members Information form must be signed by the landowner and on file with the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The landowner must be compliant with Highly Erodible and Wetland Conservation provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill, as amended. A current AD-1026 (PDF, 159 KB) must be on file with FSA.

Landowners also must meet the adjusted gross income limitation, earning less than $1 million in income for each of the past three years, unless more than 66% of the total gross income was from farm income. A current CCC-933 (PDF, 125 KB) must be on file with FSA.

Forest management plans are required on all parcels with forest cover on greater than 10 acres or 10% of the easement area (whichever is greater). If the parcel requires a forest management plan, a certification by the landowner that such a plan will be completed prior to closing is needed.

NRCS Parcel Ranking Process

As part of the ranking and eligibility process, NRCS will complete a pre-acquisition database search for hazardous materials on or near the parcel. In addition, NRCS will conduct an on-site visit to determine the condition of the land. NRCS will also interview the landowner to ensure that all FRPP requirements are understood and that any information collected is accurate and complete.

As a condition for participation, NRCS will develop a conservation plan for all Highly Erodible Land. To ensure compliance with the plan, the easement shall grant to the U.S., through NRCS and its successor or assigns, a right of access to the easement area.

Application Submissions

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Interested entities must complete information regarding the Oregon FRPP and application process which is found in the following document:

Documents below require Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Word.

FRPP Process Flow Chart (PDF, 554 KB)

Entity and Parcel Application Packet
      Oregon Parcel workbook  (DOC, 67 KB)
      Oregon Entity Workbook  (DOC, 55 KB)
      SF 424, Fillable Entity Application (PDF, 124 KB)
      SF 424a, Budget Non Construction  (PDF, 93 KB)
      SF 424b, Assurances (PDF, 121 KB)

FRPP Appraisal Specifications (PDF, 335 KB)
 

Due to the inclusion of personal and private information, no electronic submittals will be accepted.

Applications should be marked "PRIVATE" and addressed to:

Bari Williams
USDA/NRCS
Oregon State Office
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 900
Portland, OR 97232
 

National Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) Guidance

Documents below require Acrobat Reader

2008 Farm Bill FRPP Manual Sept 2010 (2 MB PDF)
FRPP Farm Bill Manual Sept 2010 Appraisal Section and Exhibits (187 KB PDF)
FRPP Final Rule (138 KB PDF)
National FRPP (2008 Farm Bill) - Fact Sheet (45 KB PDF)
National FRPP (2008 Farm Bill) - Questions and Answers (43 KB PDF)

 

National Information

Archives

State Contact:

Bari Williams
Easement Program Specialist
(503) 414-3226

 

 

 

< Back to Programs