2003 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

Rhode Island Summary

Overview

The USDA Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) helps farmers keep their productive land in agriculture. The FRPP provides financial assistance for State, Tribal, and local governments and non-profit organizations to purchase conservation easements (or development rights) on farmland. The landowner gets much-needed dollars and the land is protected from development. Under the FRPP, NRCS provides up to 50% of the price paid by the cooperating entity for the conservation easement and the entity holds, manages, and enforces the easement. The FRPP was established in 1996, attracting applications for funding from numerous entities in Rhode Island and throughout the nation.

Accomplishments

In Fiscal Year 2003 Congress appropriated $75 million nationwide for FRPP. In Rhode Island the NRCS staff reached out to as many potential applicants as possible to alert them to the availability of these funds. Farmland is being protected from urbanization in Rhode Island by a diverse group of entities, ranging from the State of Rhode Island’s long established Agricultural Land Preservation Commission to several relatively new non-profit land trusts. NRCS received applications from seven entities seeking funds from the 2003 FRPP to assist them with the protection of twelve farms. The farms represent a cross section of Rhode Island agriculture and the dreams of the land’s owners to preserve both productive farmland and part of Rhode Island’s rural heritage. The farms ranged in size from 18 acres to 180 acres. The landowners range from retired persons seeking to preserve the heritage of their land to young start-up farmers needing a break to get started. Many types of farms were represented – fruit, vegetables, hay, livestock, and sod. Rhode Island received $1,251,672 in FY 2003 funds to distribute among the applicants. The applicants were ranked according to an established scoring system and by mid September FRPP funds were allocated to three applicants. The three applicants will continue their negotiations with the five farms selected for funding.

Outlook

Interest in protecting farmland from urbanization remains very strong in Rhode Island. Public support for funding farmland protection and other open space initiatives has been unwavering for the past twenty years. Past efforts by State, local government and private organizations have yielded many heartening successes, but the job is far from over. As farmland owners age and family situations evolve, the need to receive cash value for farmland matures. It is anticipated that the Rhode Island Agricultural Land Preservation Commission, local governments, and land trusts will continue to actively preserve farmland over the next decade. To date, the number of willing sellers has outpaced the available funds to protect farmlands.

State contact:

Michael Spencer, FRPP Manager
60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Phone 401-822-8840 Fax 401-828-0433
michael.spencer@ri.usda.gov
 

Customer Focus

The Laurel Brook Farm and the Greenview Farm

The Laurel Brook Farm has been owned and operated by the Tucker family for decades, while the Greenview Farm remains under the relatively new ownership of organic-vegetable producer, Craig Totten. These neighboring farm owners are concerned about the growing development pressures in their South Kingstown community. The natural beauty and quality of life offered in South Kingstown make it a highly desirable place to live. With the help of the South Kingstown Land Trust, the Town of South Kingstown, and the USDA- NRCS’s FRPP the Tucker and Totten families took action to protect, through the sale of development rights, the contiguous 53 acres which comprise their farms. All involved are now assured that the scenic beauty and productive soils of these farms will be enjoyed by current and future generations.

Rhode Island’s FRPP Dollars and Contracts by Congressional District

Rhode Island's Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program Activities