2007 PRESS RELEASES

June 18, 2007
DEADLINES APPROACHING FOR STATE FARMLAND PRESERVATION MATCHING FUNDS
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686

The Office of Farmland Preservation of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has announced the deadlines for localities interested in receiving state matching funds for local Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs.  This is the first time that VDACS has been able to offer matching funds to help localities permanently preserve their working farm and forest land.  The Office of Farmland Preservation has $4.25 million in matching funds available for FY 2007-2008.

The first deadline is Monday, July 2, 2007.  By this date, localities must certify the amount of matching funds that they have available for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements.  This form is currently available on the VDACS Web site, www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation/index.shtml.  Click on the line that reads “FY 2008 Fiscal Certification Form – July 2 Deadline.”

The second deadline is Friday, August 31, 2007. By this date, localities must submit an application to have the components of their local PDR program certified.  This form is also on the VDACS Web site.  Click on the line that reads “FY 2008 Program Certification Form – August 31 Deadline.”  Localities must describe how their program addresses or matches the elements established in A Model Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program for Virginia, which was released by VDACS in November 2005.  

State matching funds will be divided up among those localities that become certified, to the extent that localities are able to provide a one-to-one match with these state funds.  More information is available on the VDACS Web site at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation/index.shtml or by contacting Kevin Schmidt, Coordinator, Office of Farmland Preservation, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA  23219; or by calling 804.786.1346, faxing 804.371-.945, or e-mailing kevin.schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov.