Purchase of Development Rights: How can it help your farm?
February 4, 2008 / News archive
Are you a farmer with a viable commercial operation in Rensselaer or Washington County? Are you looking to expand, diversify or transfer your operation to the next generation, retire farm-related debt or develop a retirement “nest egg”? If so, the state’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program may be able to assist. The program was created to maintain the economic viability of agriculture and protect the land base for future farming needs.
The state PDR grant program is competitive and geared toward farmers who have good soil resources, significant acreage, a high percentage of land in production and a location near other protected properties or properties likely to be protected in the future. Farms are also more likely to be accepted into the program if they are under development pressure, have property that buffers a natural public resource, exhibit good farm management, have a clear farm business plan and are likely to continue as working farms.
The PDR program has benefited many farmers by allowing them to reinvest in their farming operation by using the funds they received from selling their non-agricultural development rights. Uses for the funding include buying additional acreage or selling marginal land and buying more productive land, making farm improvements, modifying or diversifying their operation, or adding marketing or processing facilities. Farmers have also used the funding to retire farm-related debt, invest for retirement or facilitate the transfer of the farm to their children.
Click here to download Washington County 2008 PDR Pre-Application
Click here to download Washington County 2008 PDR Pre-Application Instructions
Click here to download Rensselaer County 2008 PDR Pre-Application
Click here to download Rensselaer County 2008 PDR Pre-Application Instructions
Click here for general information on the state PDR program
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