Overview
The Department is pleased to announce the availability of funds for the Round 20 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program – Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects.
The intent of this request for applications (RFA) is to fund the implementation of certain farmland protection activities intended to maintain the economic viability of the State’s agricultural industry and its supporting land base and to protect the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture. Such activities must be described in or otherwise consistent with agricultural and farmland protection plans that have been adopted by counties or municipalities.
Specifically, the Department invites applications for State financial assistance to enable eligible applicants to cover a portion of total eligible project costs for Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects with owners of viable agricultural lands that are at risk of conversion to non-farm uses. Each Agricultural Conservation Easement Project must result in a perpetual agricultural conservation easement.
Apply
Applications for funding must conform to the format provided in the Statewide Financial System (SFS). Applications must be submitted via SFS to be considered for funding. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
Grant applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. The RFA will remain open and awards will be made until such time as available funds are fully committed, or the RFA is closed.
Two webinars were conducted for applicants:
- Overview of RFA 0393 (January 6, 2026): A recording is posted to the Department's YouTube page.
- Categorial Details of RFA 0393 (January 7, 2026): Due to technical difficulties, this session was not recorded.
The revised versions of each applicant webinar are linked below, entitled "Applicant Webinar Overview" and "Applicant Webinar Categorical Details."