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SACRAMENTO --
Bolstered by $5 million in bond funding
from Proposition 12, the California
Farmland Conservancy Program today
released its annual request for grant
applications to protect agricultural
land from encroaching development.
The California
Farmland Conservancy Program -- part of
the Department of Conservation's
Division of Land Resource Protection --
makes money available to purchase
permanent agricultural conservation
easements from willing landowners. An
agricultural conservation easement is a
voluntary, legally recorded deed
restriction that prohibits practices
that would interfere with the
agricultural use of the land. The
easement remains in effect even when the
land is sold.
"California's
population is expected to increase from
34.7 million to 50 million in the next
25 years. Through proper planning, we
can minimize the impact on the state's
$29 billion agricultural industry," DOC
Director Darryl Young said. "The
Department of Conservation strives to
balance the needs of a growing
population and the needs of agriculture,
and the easements created by the
California Farmland Conservancy Program
are a key element in doing that."
The benefits of an
agricultural conservation easement to
landowners include a one-time payment
for retiring future development
potential, continued ownership of the
farm or ranch and control of
agricultural operations, a potential
reduction in property tax assessments,
and a potential future reduction in
estate taxes. A landowner can use the
money from the sale of an agricultural
conservation easement for any purpose;
for example, to retire existing debt, to
buy more land or fund a retirement plan.
The benefits to local
government and the general public
include permanent protection of
agricultural land and the continued
eligibility of the land for property tax
subvention payments in counties
participating in the Williamson Act.
Cities, counties and
qualified non-profit organizations, such
as a land trust or resource conservation
district, can apply for CFCP grants.
While individuals cannot apply directly,
DOC's Division of Land Resource
Protection can help point landowners to
the appropriate local entity (call
916-324-0850). Information is also
available on the Web at
www.conservation.ca.gov.
DOC uses three
general criteria in determining
eligibility for CFCP grants. First, the
parcel of land must face conversion to
non-agricultural use in the foreseeable
future without the benefit of an
easement. Second, the grant proposal
must be consistent with the local
government's general plan and local
government must approve the proposal.
Third, the parcel must be large enough
to sustain commercial agricultural
production and continue to be used for
that purpose.
The steps involved in
applying for a grant include employing
an appraiser to calculate the difference
between the fair market value and
agricultural value of the land;
submitting documentation of local
government's commitment to agricultural
land preservation; and providing
matching funds (at least 5 percent of
the grant or 10 percent of the easement
value).
Since 1996, the
California Farmland Conservancy Program
has given out more than $16 million in
grants to purchase permanent
agricultural conservation easements on
13,500 acres of the state's most
productive agricultural land. Another
$10 million in grant proposals is
currently under negotiation. Proposition
40, on the March 5 ballot, could add up
to $75 million in funding to preserve
farmland and grazing land.
In addition to
helping safeguard agricultural and
open-space land, the Department of
Conservation administers the state's
beverage container recycling program;
regulates oil, gas and geothermal wells
in the state; studies and maps
earthquakes, landslides and mineral
resources; and ensures reclamation of
land used for mining.
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