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Farmland Preservation Program
Applications Now Being Accepted
Landowners are invited to apply for farmland development rights to be considered for purchase by the County. Application cycles run annually beginning in January. Landowners interested in applying are encouraged to review the Preservation Ordinance and the adopted Selection Criteria for additional details.
Download Application
Applications can also be picked up at the MSU Extension office.
Return Completed Forms To:
St. Joseph County Agricultural Preservation Board
c/o St. Joseph County MSU Extension
612 E. Main St.
Centreville, MI 49032
Program Overview
The St. Joseph County Farmland Preservation Program utilizes Purchase of Development Rights (PDR). Landowners are compensated for permanently limiting non-agricultural land uses on their property while retaining full ownership and control of the land.
By voluntarily selling development rights to a protecting organization (State, County, Township, Conservancy, etc.), those rights are extinguished. The right to develop the land may be separated and sold, while the landowner retains control of all other land rights.
The purchaser gains a limited interest in the real estate as reflected by an **easement**—a deed restriction that runs with the land (not the landowner) and is recorded with the Register of Deeds. PDR programs create value for development rights, allowing the landowner to access a portion of the land equity while retaining ownership of the land.
Funding & Grants
State and Federal grant dollars support these purchases. State grant funds require a local match of 25% of the value of a property’s development rights and Federal funds require that 50% of the value of the development rights be provided by a local match.
The local match can come from the property owner accepting less than fair market value for the development rights, or contributions from a township, the County, a land conservancy, foundation, or private business, or any combination thereof.
Essential Reading
Review these additional details before submitting your application.
Program Overview
Brad Neumann
MSU Extension Land Policy Educator
(269) 467-5522
neuman36@msu.edu