Jackson County Farmland Protection Program A CountyLocalState Partnership

Jackson County Farmland Protection Program A County/Local/State Partnership

History • 2006 Jackson County Board of Commissioners adopts County Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance – Allows Jackson County to qualify for State Purchase of Development Rights Funds • 2010 Jackson County Purchase of Development Rights Program approved by Michigan Department of Agriculture

This means… • Jackson County farmers may be eligible to compete for purchase of development rights funding from the State of Michigan • Funding will probably be available in 2012 • Jackson County Farmland Protection Committee will apply on behalf of selected farmers

Background • 2005 Michigan Department of Agriculture initiated new Purchase of Development Rights program • Funded with repaid liens from PA 116 agreements • One round in 2005/2006 • 2011 legislation encourages early repayment of liens – up to $5, 000 may be available

To Qualify • County or township must have PDR ordinance and qualified program • Townships must designate County as their official PDR program; meet some local planning requirements – Agricultural Preservation Zone – Rationale for agriculture in township – Goals, policies and tools to encourage preservation of agriculture in township

The Process • County takes applications from farmers in eligible townships • Scores them according to county accepted criteria • Submits top property(ies) to MDA • MDA makes award to county programs • Counties develop easements with landowners; purchase development rights with state money

• Only 18 programs statewide • Bias towards new programs • Jackson County’s best opportunity to begin a program is now!

Where will the money come from • State Funding – PA 116 Liens – Last seven years of tax credits from expired PA 116 contracts – $12, 000 outstanding – Current program to discount liens if paid now – Anticipate up to $5, 000 for 2012 funding

Other funding • Federal Farm and Ranch Protection Funds may be used to ‘match’ the State funds • Landowner donations (bargain sale) may be used to ‘match’ NO JACKSON COUNTY TAX DOLLARS HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR THIS PROGRAM!

Jackson County Scoring Criteria • Above average crop yield – 30 pt • Proximity to agricultural infrastructure (e. g. elevators, implement dealers) 30 pt • Contiguous to other protected lands 20 pt • Size in relation to average county farm 20 pt • Currently implementing conservation practices 25 pt

• Proximity to livestock operations (buffering from residential development) 20 pt • Appropriate local planning and zoning 30 pt • Distance to urban services 10 pt TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS = 185

STATE SCORING SYSTEM • State evaluates the program not the land • Looks at all parcels submitted by local program • Encourages communities to think about how and where agriculture should be permanently protected

• 1000 point system – Prime and unique soils 150 pts – Conservation/Nutrient Plans in Place 50 pts – MAEAP participants 50 pts – Parcel Size (% of parcels 80 acres+) 50 pts – Contiguous blocks possible 100 pts – Local commitment (priorities; funds) 100 pts – Matching funds (including bargain sale) 100 pts – Intergovernmental cooperation 100 pts – Local planning training 50 pts

• Capacity to execute 100 pts • Agricultural planning techniques 75 pts • Agricultural economic development plan 75 pts

Current Status • Local program approved by MDA • Some townships are moving ahead: – Columbia – Henrietta • Others are considering it: – Grass Lake – Waterloo

Next Steps • A state funding round is likely in 2012 • There will be 60 days to complete an application • IF YOUR TOWNSHIP HAS NOT COMPLETED THEIR LOCAL PLANNING REQUIREMENTS, THIS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TIME TO DO SO

• Staff and Agricultural Protection Committee members are prepared to make presentations to township planning commissions and boards. • Legacy Land Conservancy will help draft appropriate plan language. • If you think you want to pursue this Purchase of Development Rights program, encourage your township to participate.