You're Invited To Learn About The Importance of Succession and Transfer Planning
 Over half of Michigan farmland is expected to change hands over the next two decades. If you’re a farmer or landowner concerned about the future of your property, join our Agricultural Preservation Board at Farming Forward.
This free workshop will be held on March 26 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Alpine Township Fire Station in Comstock Park. No matter what stage you are at in your farming career, Farming Forward has the information you need to plan for the future, including sessions on:
- Succession Planning
- Land-Linking with MiFarmLink
- Agricultural Easements
- Mediation Services
To learn more, check out the workshop agenda and register today!
 This workshop is provided by the joint Ottawa - Kent collaborative of the Land Transfer Program – a partnership led by the American Farmland Trust (AFT) with support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Navigators have experience supporting access to land, farmland protection, succession planning and more. With training and support from AFT and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, navigators are here to guide you through the complexities of land transfer and know how to tap the technical assistance and resources you need to be successful. Learn more at https://mifarmlink.org/resources/land-transfer-navigators
March is Michigan Food and Agriculture Month
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially declared March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month. This proclamation aims to honor and celebrate the state's farmers, the variety of products cultivated and processed here, and the collaborations that sustain our thriving food and agriculture industry.
 This month is a time to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of those who contribute to Michigan's status as a leading agricultural state.
Accepting Applications for Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program
The Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program is accepting applications until Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Through this voluntary program, Kent County helps seek compensation for owners of agricultural property for their willingness to accept a permanent deed restriction on their land that limits future development of the land for non-agricultural purposes. If you or someone you know owns agricultural land and wants to see it preserved as farmland forever, then selling or donating the development rights may be the right course of action. No landowner will ever be forced to sell their land and the purchase price or donation value will come from a third-party appraisal of the land.
Both the application and scoring criteria are available online at www.kentcountymi.gov/pdr. Contact Kent County PDR program staff Haley Stichman by email haley.stichman@kentcountymi.gov or phone (616) 632-7593 for more information.
|
