The PDR program provides farmers with an opportunity to sell the development
rights to their farm. This furnishes farmers with capital to invest
in a 401K plan, purchase new equipment, pay off debt or for any use
the farmer sees fit. At the same time, it protects the property
from development for perpetuity. The farmer retains ownership of
the property, less the development rights. This allows him to farm,
timber, hunt, conserve, or construct agricultural buildings, etc., or sell
the property.
To be considered for the PDR program, farmers should request an application form from the JCLT. JCLT Board members will be happy to talk with farmers or groups interested in this new program.
After completion of the application form, farms will be visited to verify
application and remediate questions. Applicants will be selected
using a criteria selection evaluation form and the selected farm owners
will be
contacted.
Farm development rights value is arrived at by appraising the development value of the land versus the agricultural value. The difference between the two constitute the ‘development rights value’. If the figure is agreeable by both the farmer and the JCLT, a Conservation Easement is drafted to fulfill the agreement between the farmer and the JCLT. The farmer is then paid the agreed sum and the conservation easement is recorded by the register of deeds and held in public trust by the JCLT.
The JCLT is a ‘not for profit’ 501 (c) (3) corporation dedicated to
preserving farmland and open space in Jefferson and adjacent Counties.
Its mission is to preserve and restore the natural heritage of Jefferson
and
adjacent Counties through partnerships and land conservancy and resource
management. This includes providing education to citizens regarding
land use issues, provide revenue and means to protect farmland, and
act as the enforcing body for the protected conservation easements.
To participate in this PDR Program, contact the Jefferson County Land Trust, P. O. Box 194, Jefferson, WI 53549. For more information, call. 920-262-9996.