January 18 is the application cut-off date for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today.

FRPP provides matching funds to help communities preserve farm or ranch land and cultural resources. The program offers a way to keep prime farmland in agriculture use and, at the same time, keep farming and ranching communities thriving by relieving development pressures.

Under the program, USDA partners with state, tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations to acquire conservation easements or other interests in land from landowners. USDA provides up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value of the conservation easement.

“The Farm and Ranchland Protection Program provides the perfect opportunity for partners to come together with NRCS to preserve valuable farm and ranch land in our local communities,” said Jeff Harlow, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs.

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.

FRPP is offered on a continuous sign-up basis, however, interested parties should contact their local USDA-NRCS service centeroffice before the January 18 application deadline to apply for 2013 funding.