04/13/07 A million for farmland preservation

Washington Ag April 13, 2007 In an effort to protect working agricultural lands in Washington, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced that 1.1 million dollars will be available to successful applicants this year through the agency's Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. National NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster says many farmers and rancher are facing tremendous development pressure. Lancaster: "And they want to continue to operate but in the face of that pressure it makes it difficult. This is a program where we work closely with states, tribes, local governments and non-governmental organizations to purchase conservation easements on those lands." NRCS is seeking proposals from local, state and federally recognized Tribal governments and non-governmental organizations interested in working together to acquire conservation easements on farms and ranches. Proposals postmarked or received at the NRCS State Office in Spokane by the close of business Friday, April 27, 2007 will be ranked and considered for funding. Final project selections are expected to be announced in June. Instructions for project on the web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/frpp Last year 634 acres were entered into conservation easements in Washington through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. I'm Bob Hoff.