FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, OCT. 2, 2007

Funding available for farmland preservation projects

RALEIGH – County governments and nonprofit groups pursuing farmland preservation projects can apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today.

Applications and guidelines for the 2008 funding cycle are available by logging on to www.ncadfp.org or calling (919) 733-7125. Applications are due Dec. 14.

The trust fund’s purpose is to support projects that encourage the preservation of qualifying agricultural, horticultural and forest lands to foster the growth, development and sustainability of family farms. Grants can be awarded for agricultural agreements that promote the active production of food and fiber on farm and forest lands; public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable farm and forest lands; and the purchase of conservation easements on farm and forest lands.

“The General Assembly appropriated $8 million to the trust fund for the 2007-08 fiscal year, and we’re excited about using this money to help communities stem the steep drop in farm and forest acreage across North Carolina,” Troxler said.

-bal 2,3,4-