A. Has the application form been signed by the landowner of the property? 

                        Yes                             No           

If not, the property will not be considered further.

(Purpose:  This is a voluntary program based on the landowner’s desire to participate.)

B. Is at least 51% of nominated property devoted to agricultural use (pasture, cropland, etc)?

                        Yes                             No          

 If no, the property will not be considered further under this farmland preservation program as it will not be eligible to receive state matching funds.  Management of a woodlot is not considered an agricultural use under the state legislation.   

(Purpose:  This is a program to help create a long-term business environment for agriculture and to insure the resource base for agricultural production.)

C. If the parcel under question is located in a township which administers their own zoning, has the local township provided a written recommendation regarding the landowner’s application to the county? 

                         Yes                             No           

The recommendation of the local township will be taken into consideration by the County Agricultural Preserve Board.  If a township administers its own zoning and recommends denial of the application, the property will not be considered further. Approval of specific parcels would take into account the desire of a township to participate in the county program and consistency with the local master plan.  

(Purpose:  Allows local input into the process much like the current state process.)

D. Is the property not slated for commercial, industrial, higher density residential use (or is within a designated growth area) in the County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan?

                        Yes                             No           

 If no, the property will not be considered further. 

(Purpose:  The program is not to restrict planned economic development and insures that areas planned for economic development by the community will be available.  Additional considerations taken into account in the scoring system.)

E. Are agriculture activities a permitted use on the parcel under current zoning? 

                         Yes                             No          

 If no, the property will not be considered further.  

(Purpose:  If the parcel is zoning strictly for residential or non-agricultural uses, then protection for agricultural purposes would not make sense.)

F. Does the landowner control all rights associated with the property, such as minerals rights? 

                          Yes                             No           

If no, are the owners of the mineral rights willing to sign a subordination agreement?  If yes, are the mineral rights presently leased out?   

(Purpose:  It is important that the ownership and use of mineral rights be subordinate to the agricultural conservation easement.  Mineral extraction is allowed provided that the use of the land for agriculture is not negatively impacted (e.g. surface mining would not be acceptable).)