Additional Conservation Easement Purchase Funds

The North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is a state-level funding program designed to protect agricultural land and strengthen the long-term viability of farming in North Carolina. The Trust Fund was created in response to significant farmland loss across the state, with hundreds of thousands of acres converted to non-agricultural uses over recent decades. Through a range of grant programs, the fund supports conservation easements, agricultural development initiatives, and planning efforts that sustain working lands and rural economies. The Additional Conservation Easement Purchase Funds opportunity is a specialized funding mechanism available to existing grantees who already hold an active conservation easement grant contract with the Trust Fund. Its primary purpose is to provide a one-time opportunity to supplement previously awarded funds when financial gaps arise. These gaps may occur due to increases in appraised land value or when expected partner funding from external sources such as federal, local, nonprofit, or private entities is not secured. The program ensures that conservation projects can still proceed despite changing financial conditions. Funding under this program is strictly limited to the conservation easement purchase line item. Applicants may request up to fifty percent of the appraised conservation easement purchase value, based on updated appraisal data. The program does not allow unrestricted use of funds; instead, it requires alignment with the original conservation easement contract. Matching requirements remain consistent with the original grant agreement, and applicants must demonstrate compliance with all prior contractual obligations. Additionally, funding is competitive and not guaranteed, as awards depend on available funds and application ranking. Eligibility is narrowly defined and restricted to organizations that already hold an eligible conservation easement grant contract that has not previously received additional funds. Applicants must also meet specific justification criteria, such as documented denial of partner funding or an appraisal demonstrating increased easement value. Other requirements include maintaining a low-risk designation under the Trust Fund’s risk assessment system and providing a valid Certified Development Rights Appraisal within specified timeframes. If appraisal timelines are exceeded, applicants must obtain an updated appraisal or certification to maintain eligibility. The application process consists of two required parts, each with firm deadlines. Part 1 is a preliminary submission that identifies the existing award and provides justification for the additional funding request. Part 2 collects detailed budget and project information, including updates reflecting the requested additional funds. Applicants must submit all required documentation at the time of application, and late or incomplete submissions are automatically disqualified. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited or resubmitted, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and completeness. Applications are reviewed and ranked by Trust Fund staff based on defined priority criteria. These criteria consider factors such as whether the funding request reduces or maintains the easement purchase percentage, the presence or absence of partner funding, and the relative size of the request. Eligible applications may also undergo on-site visits or verification calls to confirm project details. Final funding decisions are made by the Commissioner of Agriculture in consultation with the Trust Fund Advisory Committee. The funding timeline follows a structured cycle, with Part 1 opening in early August and closing at the end of the month, and Part 2 opening in mid-September and closing in late December. Participation in the program extends the existing grant contract by at least ten months, and applicants are advised to coordinate closely with landowners and stakeholders before applying. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle aligned with the broader Trust Fund grant process, reinforcing its role as a supplemental funding pathway within North Carolina’s farmland preservation strategy.

Coordinate with appraisers early to minimize additional costs; discuss timeline and competitive nature with landowners