Traditional Farmland Preservation Program
The traditional Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) is the primary preservation program administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Typically it is a good fit for preserving larger (>30 acres) farms that have a significant quantity of cropland and prime and important soils as defined by the United State Department of Agriculture.
How the Program Works:
- Landowners may apply to the program voluntarily.
- The application is evaluated according to state regulation criteria. If the farm meets minimum scoring criteria, the Commissioner may accept the application.
- Configuration of the application and specifics of the easement are negotiated and agreed to by the land owner and Commissioner of Agriculture.
- The farm is appraised for the unrestricted market value and the market agricultural value, the difference between the two indicating the value of the development rights.
- The appraisals are reviewed by the Commissioner who may negotiate anywhere from a gift of, to the full value of the development rights.
- An agreement letter is presented from the Commissioner to the land owner representing the agreed upon price. The letter is reviewed and approved by the Attorney General.
- A detailed report is submitted to the State Properties Review Board for review and approval.
- A notice of application is filed with the town clerk of the town where the farm is located.
- Funds are acquired for the acquisition, and an A-2 survey, title insurance, and title search are obtained.
- Upon completion of due diligence, the conveyance of development rights deed is executed and a check for the development rights acquisition processed. After all the documents are approved by the Attorney General, a closing is held and the documents and maps are recorded in the local land records and with the Secretary of State.
- Department of Agriculture staff on an annual basis will reach out to the land owners to conduct stewardship reports and visits.
