Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

About the Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program


The Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farm and ranch land in agricultural uses. USDA provides funds to State, Tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations (eligible entities) to acquire conservation easements or other interests in land from landowners. USDA provides up to 50% of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement.
Two farm animals with trees in the background
To qualify, the land must have fifty percent prime, unique, or important farmland soils, have a historic or archeological resource, or have land that supports the policy of a State or local farm and ranch land protection program.

The land must also meet the following criteria:
  • Be part of a pending offer from a State, tribe, or local farmland protection program
  • Be privately owned
  • Have a conservation plan for highly erodible land
  • Be large enough to sustain agricultural production
  • Be accessible to markets for what the land produces
  • Have adequate infrastructure and agricultural support services
  • Have surrounding parcels of land that can support long-term agricultural production

Additional Information


Find more information about FRPP.