News

Review Appraisal Guidelines

On May 17, 2010, guidelines were issued for the review of conservation easement appraisals in West Virginia. These guidelines suggest the use of UASFLA or Yellow Book as the basis of the appraisal, and additionally suggest that the appraisal (combined or separately) address IRS requirements for any donation or bargain sale to the West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority or the county Farmland Protection Board. NRCS requirements for the appraisal are also included, incorporating Section 519.102 of the draft NRCS manual. Finally, review appraiser qualifications independence requirements, as well as requirements for the technical review appraisal are outlined.
Download the “West Virginia Appraisal Review Guidelines” Word Document to read more

Guidance on Gas Leases for Farmland Protection Entities in West Virginia

This guidance on gas leases is being outlined for the West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority and the county Farmland Protection Boards. Federal policy is described below, as well as suggested policy to be adopted for use with local monies. Background information compiled by a working group of West Virginia Land Trusts is also attached, as well as excerpts from articles and on-line resources.
Download the "Gas Lease Guidance" Word Document to read more
Download the NRCS letter to Hampshire County Farmland Protection Board PDF

West Virginia Voluntary Farmland Protection : 2002-2009

Goals:

Landowners in a county VOLUNTARILY participate in the program
The county board or West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority acquires the development rights from the landowner through a Deed of Conservation Easement
Protect farmland

County Farmland Protection Boards are appointed by County Commissions to design a program that is responsive to local concerns and goals.

To date, Farmland Protection Programs have been created in 19 West Virginia Counties. Those county Farmland Protection Boards, along with the West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority, and cooperating land trusts, have collectively protected 12,597 acres of farmland.

Year	Num of Farms	Acres	Easement Purchase Price
2009	13	3,234	$2,354,000
2008	19	2,033	$5,461,000
2007	15	1,981	$6,431,000
2006	18	2,296	$6,131,000
2005	14	1,421	$3,255,000
2004	11	1,051	$2,932,000
2003 and prior	5	581	$352,000
Total	94	12,597	$ $26,916,000

Source of Funding:
County Farmland Protection Boards: $ 15,751,000
Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) : $10,813,000
State: $302,000
Nonprofits: $50,000
TOTAL: $26,916,000

Easement Statistics

Average Easement Purchase Price, including donations - $2,136 per Acre
Average Easement Appraisal Value $5,337 per Acre

Range of Easement Purchase Price $250 up to $16,000 per acre
Average Farm Size - 111 Acres
Range of Farm Sizes - 6 up to 884 Acres

Estimated Annual Dollars— Land Protection

$3.0 million County transfer tax
$700,000 – 800,000 State recordation fees
$2.0 – 5.0 million Federal match - USDA-NRCS
Average # acres saved per year: 1,685 acres




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