Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) Under the 2008 Farm Bill

Last Modified: 07/29/2011

The Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) is a conservation easement program.  It provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farm and ranch land in agricultural uses.  USDA provides funds to State, Tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations (eligible entities) to acquire conservation easements or other interests in land from landowners.  USDA provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement.  The eligible entities must provide at least half of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement.

To qualify, the land must have fifty percent prime, unique, or important farmland soils; have a historic or archeological resource; or have land that supports the policy of a State or local farm and ranch land protection program.  The land must also: be part of a pending offer from a State, tribe, or local farmland protection program; be privately owned; have a conservation plan for highly erodible land; be large enough to sustain agricultural production; be accessible to markets for what the land produces; have adequate infrastructure and agricultural support services; and have surrounding parcels of land that can support long-term agricultural production.  Landowners must meet eligibility requirements for adjusted gross income and compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions of the Farm Bill.

Proposals can be submitted by the eligible entities to the NRCS-NH State Office on a continuous basis throughout the year.  The individual farms are evaluated and ranked monthly and funds are dispersed to the eligible entities associated with the highest ranked farms through a cooperative agreement.

For answers to any questions about the NH FRPP Program, please contact:

Ryan.Dubois@nh.usda.gov, FRPP Legal Instruments Examiner at 603-868-9931 x124
Susan.Knight@nh.usda.gov, Technical Program Specialist - Easements at 603-868-9931 x118
Deb.Weymouth@nh.usda.gov, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs at 603-868-9931 x 102

FRPP Process Flow Chart and Required Documents

The documents found on the link above provide information regarding the FRPP process, program eligibility, as well as other valuable information for landowners and entities wishing to participate in the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.  The eligibility requirements will sometimes change from previous program years.  Interested applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements carefully and contact NRCS with specific questions.

National FRPP Guidance and Resources

Articles and News about FRPP in New Hampshire

FRPP Archives