BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- It was announced on Friday that Berrien County will receive $250,000 in grant funding from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund Board to protect farmland in the county.

“MDARD is committed to sustaining Michigan’s rich agricultural heritage and to protecting farmland crucial to the prosperity of communities throughout our state,” said MDARD Director and MAPFB Chair Tim Boring.

“Through the Agricultural Preservation Fund, MDARD can help local governments conserve farmland for the future benefit of their residents.”

A total of $1.8 million of Agricultural Preservation Fund grants were awarded:

• Washtenaw County - $525,600
• Dexter Township - $449,280
• Ottawa County - $352,149
• Berrien County - $250,000
• Macomb County - $135,000
• Northfield Township - $100,000

The grants will help preserve 655.49 acres of farmland.

"Since Fiscal Year 2019, MDARD has issued more than $9 million of Agricultural Development Fund grants to qualifying farmland preservation programs throughout the state of Michigan," state officials said.

"The grants were part of more than $184 million MDARD delivered over the past seven years to help local communities ensure food safety, protect the environment, promote agricultural prosperity and create jobs."

The funds can cover up to 75 percent of the costs for purchasing the development rights on agricultural land, but landowners can donate a portion of the development rights value towards the required 25 percent local match of the conservation easement purchase price.

The fund also helps to pay for certain closing costs associated with the conservation easements.

Statement from MDARD:

By using the Agricultural Preservation Fund grant awards to purchase land currently being used for agricultural purposes, local communities ensure a sustainable source of fresh food and keep jobs in the agriculture community.

According to statute, purchasing agricultural land in an easement establishes permanent agricultural use that prevents development and non-permitted uses on the land even when it sells to new owners. Local farmland preservation programs are eligible to submit applications for the Agricultural Preservation Fund Grant to support that mission.

To qualify for grants from the Agricultural Preservation Fund, a county or township must have zoning authority and an approved master plan that includes farmland preservation.

Prospective grant applicants are also required to have adopted a Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance and created a plan for monitoring conservation easements.

A Joint Evaluation Committee organized by MDARD reviews grant applications and selects awardees based on high and consistent criteria regarding the quality of agricultural parcels and local conservation program achievements.