Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Some local communities have been awarded grant funding for farmland preservation programs.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund Board recently announced more than $1.8 million of Agricultural Preservation Fund grants to protect farmland in six counties and townships. The grants will help preserve 655.49 acres.

Locally, Washtenaw County will receive $525,600; Dexter Township $449,280; and Northfield Township $100,000.

MDARD Director and MAPFB Chair Tim Boring said “MDARD is committed to sustaining Michigan’s rich agricultural heritage and to protecting farmland crucial to the prosperity of communities throughout our state. Through the Agricultural Preservation Fund, MDARD can help local governments conserve farmland for the future benefit of their residents.”

MDARD distributes grants from the Agricultural Preservation Fund that cover up to 75 percent of the costs for purchasing the development rights on agricultural land. Landowners can donate a portion of the development rights value towards the required 25 percent local match of the conservation easement purchase price. The fund also helps to pay for certain closing costs associated with the conservation easements.

To qualify for grants from the Agricultural Preservation Fund, a county or township must have zoning authority and an approved master plan that includes farmland preservation. Prospective grant applicants are also required to have adopted a Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance and created a plan for monitoring conservation easements.