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State development rights programs vary widely Back to Managing Your Land feature
Northeast states have worked on farmland protection and preservation programs for more than 30 years, with some local governments, such as Suffolk County, N.Y., pioneering the effort. Here is a brief summary of PDR (purchase of development rights) programs by state. Individual program links are provided where available. While programs vary widely, one fact is common - states receive far more requests for funding than they have funding available.
Connecticut: Established in 1978, the Connecticut program has purchased $83.75 million in development rights. The most recent year's funding was for $1 million. Farmland Preservation Program Massachusetts: The AgriculturalPreservation Restriction Program pays landowners the difference in their land's fair market value and its agricultural value. This program funded a total of $120 million over the years, and $10.6 million during its most recent year. APR Program New Hampshire: The New Hampshire program purchased $55 million in development rights on agricultural lands and cultural resources since the program began. The program provides 50 percent of the purchase cost with local governments and/or the private sector providing matching amounts. During its most recent year, the New Hampshire program funded a total of $3 million. New York: Just established in the past five years, the New York program has already paid out $41 million. This program purchases development rights through local governments with up to 75 percent in state funds. The program funded $12 million in its most recent year. Farmland Protection Program	Maine: Maine's PDR program is supported by a $5 million bond act, which was first approved in 1999. Land trust organizations match state funds. In its most recent year, Maine funded $1 million for the sale of development rights. Maine Farmland Trust New Jersey: New Jersey created its Farmland Preservation Program in 1983, which has provided local governments and nonprofits with $470 million in grants to purchase development easements and for direct purchases. New Jersey's most recent year's funding was for $80 million. Farmland Preservation Program Rhode Island: Rhode Island uses voter approved bond funds to acquire development rights on farmland. The Rhode Island effort has worked with more than 40 farms. Rhode Island, which allocates funds every other year, has provided $2 million since its inception in 1981. Vermont: Since 1989, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board has invested $58.67 million to conserve 88,281 acres of farmland on 266 farms and 235,721 acres of forestlands. Vermont's most recent year's funding was for $8.68 million. Farmland Preservation Program