How to Start a Farmland Protection Board in Your County

Under the authority of the Voluntary Farmland Protection Act, the County Commission of each county may adopt and implement a farmland protection program within the county. The County Commission through simple majority vote passes a resolution to create a farmland protection program. Following such a resolution, the County Commission appoints a Farmland Protection Board that shall administer on behalf of the County Commission all matters concerning farmland protection.

Once formed, the Farmland Protection Board first must adopt bylaws and operating procedures. The Farmland Protection Board then develops the Farmland Protection Program for the county as approved by the County Commission .

Often, local Conservation District representatives or your District Conservationist from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can assist.

The Canaan Valley Institute and the NRCS currently have a cooperation agreement to assist counties in starting and administering their Farmland Protection Programs. Such assistance can be in the form of small group meetings to describe how to get started; public meetings to inform the public and answer questions; a start-up kit of documents, filings and forms; on-site assistance to a Farmland Protection Board; and telephone assistance to answer questions. Please contact Lavonne Paden , West Virginia Farmland Protection Specialist, at (800) 922-3601 for further information.

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