California Farmland Conservancy Program

Frequently Asked Questions: CFCP

How much funding is available?

How are CFCP easement grant funds utilized?

What other types of grants does the CFCP make?

Who is eligible to apply for grants?

How does the CFCP work with the Federal Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program?

How can an individual landowner participate in the CFCP?

Must an applicant have a formal appraisal prepared as a component of a proposal for purchase of an agricultural conservation easement?

What are the deadlines for grant applications?

Where can I get an application?

How much funding is available?

The state budget allocated $8.3 million of Proposition 40 bond funds to CFCP for the 2006-07 fiscal year.  Additional funding may come from donations, gifts, federal grants or loans, or other sources.

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How are CFCP easement grant funds utilized?

CFCP agricultural conservation easement grant funds are used to compensate a landowner who voluntarily chooses to sell the development potential on his or her agricultural land. The value of an agricultural conservation easement is determined by an independent real estate appraisal, which represents the difference between the fair market value and the restricted value of the property (the diminished value after an easement is attached to the deed of the property).

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What other types of grants does the CFCP make?

In addition to funding provided for agricultural easement acquisition, up to ten percent of the CFCP grant funds are available for projects which develop policy or planning oriented to agricultural land protection, and for improvements to land already under an agricultural conservation easement (e.g., erosion control, riparian area improvements, etc.). See Grant Categories for more information.

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Who is eligible to apply for grants?

Local governments, resource conservation districts, non-profit organizations, regional park or open-space districts, and regional park or open-space authorities, that have conservation of farmland among their stated purposes are eligible to apply for CFCP grants. Non-profit organizations must have 501(c)(3) designation by the IRS, and include agricultural land preservation as a purpose of the organization. For more specific requirements, see the CFCP Request for Grant Applications.

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How does CFCP work with the Federal Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)?

The Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program is administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The CFCP works with the NRCS to assist in administering FRPP funds in California. For more information on the FRPP, visit the NRCS Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program web page, or contact the NRCS California State Headquarters at (530) 792-5600.

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How can an individual landowner participate in the CFCP?

Individuals cannot directly apply for CFCP grants. The CFCP enabling legislation requires that applicants be either a city, county, or a qualified non-profit organization (such as a land trust). Individuals may contact eligible potential applicants to determine if their property is consistent with the land conservation objectives of that entity. The Department of Conservation can assist landowners in identifying appropriate entities that would be qualified to apply for a CFCP grant on their behalf.

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Must an applicant have a formal appraisal prepared as a component of a proposal for purchase of an agricultural conservation easement?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a formal appraisal as part of their application. Applicants may choose to submit an application without a complete formal appraisal if agricultural conservation easement values in the project area have been well established by other, similar easement purchases. However, the appraisal must be completed and submitted to the Department before an approved grant may have funds released. Funding decisions may be delayed until such an appraisal has been completed. If the proposal is accepted for funding, the CFCP may fund up to the appraised value of the easement, or the accepted estimate provided in the grant application (providing that minimum match requirements are met).

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What are the deadlines for grant applications?

Applications for grants are accepted and reviewed on an on-going basis, and funding determinations will be announced periodically. Applicants may submit more than one CFCP grant proposal over the funding cycle, providing that each proposal is distinct and can be reviewed independently.

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Where can I get an application?

The Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) includes all the guidelines and requirements for applications. The RFGA may be downloaded here. For a hard copy of the RFGA, please contact the CFCP at the addresses and telephone number provided on the CFCP home page.