2008.10.12 Press Release- Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board
BCFPB closes on the 18th Easement
The Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board closed on their 18th conservation easement on Friday, October 12, 2007. A Shanghai area farm permanently protected 114 acres of their agricultural property. The conservation easement was purchased using $163,000 of local monies along with $163,000 in matching monies under the USDA - Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. The property is actively farmed and contains 56% important soils, a historic mill run, scenic ridge lines and fronts on both the east and west sides of Back Creek. The property is under nearby development threat.The property was approved by the Berkeley County Commission in February, 2007.
This brings the total number of acres to 2,068 acres of farmland in Berkeley County has been placed under easement. Before the end of 2007, the Board expects to close on an additional 195 acres. Properties approved to date by the Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board are comprised of 24 properties covering 2,250 acres in the county. These properties will utilize $6.1 million in local transfer tax monies as well as $2.1 million in Federal matching monies to accomplish the easement purchases.
The Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board was created by the Berkeley County Commission on June 15, 2000. The Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board was established under the Voluntary Farmland Protection Act that was passed into law on March 10, 2000. The Act allows counties to levy a transfer tax on real estate to create a fund to purchase development rights from farmers who wish to see their land protected so that it may remain in agriculture or open space. The farmland protection board purchases or accepts donations of conservation easements from willing owners as a way to ensure that farmland remains available for agricultural or open space uses.
The Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board has received 18 applications for the 2007-08 fiscal year representing 2,322 acres of farmland, with a total offering price of $12.9 million. The Berkeley County’s farmland protection transfer tax is currently running around $1.6 million per year.
Landowners interested in permanently protecting their land can learn more about the program at www.wvfarmlandprotection.org or by calling (304) 262-9250. Program materials can be obtained at the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District at 151 Aikens Center.
CONTACT: Clint Hogbin, Chairman (304) 754-3852 or Lavonne Paden, Executive Director (304) 754-6955