Funds Available for Agricultural Land Preservation from NRCS

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

Annapolis, MD --- April 20, 2009—“Land preservation organizations and State and Local Governments have until June 29, 2009 to apply for over $3.1 million in conservation funds under the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)”, said Mark Rose, Maryland Assistant State Conservationist for Programs for the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

"This program assists organizations to preserve agriculture lands and the agricultural industry. FRPP is an excellent way to keep prime farmland in agriculture with in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and keep farming communities viable by relieving development pressure," added Rose.

NRCS is seeking applications from state and local governments and land preservation organizations working to acquire agricultural conservation easements on Maryland farms. Interested organizations may request an application from the Maryland NRCS State Office.

Completed applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. EDT on June 29, 2009. Proposals should be sent to NRCS, Attn: Mark Rose, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, 339 Busch’s Frontage Road, Suite 301, Annapolis, Maryland 21409. NRCS is expected to announce awards to successful applicants the week of July 6, 2009.

Landowners interested in FRPP must apply through a land preservation organization or state and local agricultural land preservation program. For more information on FRPP and other conservation programs, visit www.md.nrcs.usda.gov.

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