For Immediate Release | April 20, 2023
Press contact: Department of Strategic Impact | 616-738-4852

'Now the hard work begins'

An Ottawa County blueberry field ready to bud in spring. Park Township, known both for its tourism and rural character, has officially joined 10 other townships in participating in the Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program. [Photos by Rich C. Lakeberg/Ottawa County]

Park Township Board votes to participate in Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program; Zeeland Township farmers receive grants to help protect their farms

Howard Fink believes in local decision-making. That's not surprising, as he leads day-to-day operations in Park Township. With 5 ½ miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, popular public beaches, dunes, and historic vacation homes, Park Township is a destination. It also is home to iconic agriculture - longstanding farms that are part of the fabric of the community.

So when Park Township’s Board of Trustees voiced interest in preserving the rural character of the township, Township Manager Howard Fink and other officials took heed. "Our board and our community recognize the significant cultural heritage farms bring to Park Township," said Fink. "We also acknowledge there is quite a bit of pressure, from a development perspective, on ag properties within our township."

Now these concerns can be addressed with action: the Park Township Board of Trustees recently adopted a resolution to participate in Ottawa County's Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program. This means Park Township landowners can take steps to ensure their farms stay farms long after they've harvested their last crop.

Considering the Park Township Planning Commission is embarking on a refresh of the township master plan, this was an opportune time to add farmland preservation to the planning toolbox.

"Two of the big issues that the planning commission has identified are agricultural and housing, and specifically, agricultural preservation," said Park Township Community Development Director Meika Weiss.

Next steps, according to Weiss, include meeting with local farmers to understand their perspectives, and share information about the County's farmland preservation program. "We want to get a sense of where they're at," she said. "It will be a good opportunity to talk about it."

With Park Township, this brings the total number of participating townships to 11. "The program momentum continues to build. We're excited to have such a unique township working with us to protect our valuable and iconic ag industry," said Ottawa County Economic Development Coordinator Becky Huttenga.

"I think, frankly, it's a very valuable program," said Manager Fink. "It takes a lot of foresight to think about what the agricultural community will look like in 10-20 years, even 30 years, and what's the value to the land use policy in our region? So now the hard work begins to try to figure out how to effect that change. That’s going to be our charge."

Neighboring Zeeland Township farmers receive grants to protect their properties

Mark and Norma Jongekrijg (left) and Tom Holstege are receiving grants to assist in the protection of each of their farms. For Mark Jongekrijg and Tom Holstege, the process of protecting their farms has been a joint effort - their farms are literally next to each other's. [Photos by Rich C. Lakeberg/Ottawa County]

While Park Township has just begun their agricultural preservation journey, two abutting Zeeland Township farms - one owned and operated by Mark and Norma Jongekrijg, and the second owned and operated by Tom and Janice Holstege - are moving one step closer to protecting their respective properties. Both farms have been awarded funding to create agricultural conservation easements.

The 92-acre Jongekrijg farm is receiving funding from two separate sources - the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program by way of the most recent federal farm bill.

"My parents told me they always wanted to see it stay a farm," said Mark Jongekrijg. "I thought, 'Well, I'm going to do what I can to preserve it that way.' With these funds, I believe we can."

A Certified Michigan Centennial Farm, the 38-acre Holstege parcel is receiving funds to go toward preservation via the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, also through the federal farm bill.

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"My parents told me they always wanted to see it stay a farm. I thought, 'Well, I’m going to do what I can to preserve it that way.' With these funds, I believe we can."

Mark Jongekrijg, Zeeland Township farmer

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For Mark Jongekrijg and Tom Holstege, the process of protecting their farms has been a joint effort. But it began with Holstege. After initially learning of the program, he reached out to Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Analyst Julie Lamer.

"When Tom first approached us about farmland preservation, Zeeland Township had not yet approved a resolution to allow for participation in our program," said Lamer. "I explained the process to him, and explained we needed the township to support a resolution before he could apply."

Afterward, Tom Holstege decided to talk with his farming neighbor Mark Jongekrijg about preservation. "This (program) just happens to come along. (Mark and I) were right next to each other," said Holstege. "We started talking and thought, 'Yeah, this might be a pretty good little idea here.'"

Mark Jongekrijg agreed. "I don't want to see any more farmland lost, if possible, than what already has been," he said. "When Tom said he was thinking about getting involved and asked me if I'd be interested, I said yes."

The duo then attended a number of township board meetings to help persuade township officials to approve the resolution. Reflecting on the process, Holstege said, "We were the pioneers, the pilgrims (of preservation in Zeeland). We were the first."

Having neighboring farms pursue preservation fits right in with the County's Focus on Agriculture plan, an economic development guidebook created following the 2019 Farmland Preservation Survey. The survey, which asked Ottawa County agricultural landowners and producers about how best to protect local farmland, showed strong support for preservation efforts.

"Protecting neighboring properties from development provides both economic and environmental benefits," said Economic Development Coordinator Becky Huttenga. "Most farmers have several tracts of land they farm. When those tracts are separated by miles of other non-farm properties, it is much less economical and environmentally responsible to farm them because you have to move machinery and equipment longer distances. Larger tracts also provide more area for conservation efforts, such as groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and maintain soil health. It's a net positive."

About their farms

Holstege Farm: Rated 100% prime farmland, the 38-acre Holstege farm is used to grow cash crops including soybeans, corn and hay, and to raise beef cattle. Most of the soy is sold to Zeeland Farm Services. The majority of his corn is used to feed their approximately 50 head of cattle. "I can't remember life without cattle," said Holstege.

Jongekrijg Farm: Comprised of two parcels, the Jongekrijgs use portions of the property for growing cash crops and other sections for cattle pasture. Rated 96 percent prime farmland, they grow a rotation of soybeans, corn, and hay. They also raise around 45-50 cattle and/or calves on the property. The Jongekrijg farm employs a number of conservation practices, such as crop rotation, cover crop plantings to prevent soil loss, vegetative buffers, and manure application at least 150 feet from surface waterways.

Application season has wrapped up

Each year, the County Agriculture Preservation Board accepts applications to the Purchase of Development Rights Program. To participate, applicants must own agriculturally zoned property within a municipality that has adopted a resolution to support the Farmland Preservation Program. The board then scores applications and selects just a few properties for preservation.

At the close of the application cycle on March 31, the board received 13 applicants.

More about PDR

Landowners who choose to participate in the program can protect their farmland by selling the development rights to the County, creating a permanent agricultural conservation easement. Landowners still own the land, retain all rights associated with it, and are compensated for lost development potential.

No County monies are used to fund PDR. This program is completely funded through a combination of state and/or federal grants, private donations, and landowner contributions.

 "Funding and grant funding is pivotal to the success of this program," said Farmland Preservation Analyst Julie Lamer.

To learn more about the Farmland Preservation Program, or to give, visit MiOttawa.org/Farmland or call 616-738-4852.