Farmland owners who would like to see their property remain in agricultural production for future generations are invited to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.

“The FRPP Program helps ensure that valuable, productive land is protected,” Jay Mar, Connecticut state conservationist, said in a news release. “Since 1996, NRCS has provided millions to protect over 100 farms in Connecticut.”

The program provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep farms in agricultural uses. The USDA works with state, tribal or local governments and non-governmental organizations to purchase conservation easements from landowners in cooperation with existing partner programs. USDA provides up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value of the conservation easement.

To qualify, farmland must be part of a pending offer from a qualified state, tribe or local farmland protection program; be privately owned; contain at least 50 percent prime, statewide, or local important farmland soils; and include at least one-third cropland, grassland and pasture land of the total acreage. Funds will be awarded to the highest ranking eligible parcels through a statewide, competitive process. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, but the closing date to apply for fiscal year 2012 funding is July 13.

For information, visit www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/programs, or call the USDA Field Office in Norwich at (860) 887-3604.