FRPP Helps Preserve a Piece of History

January 2005- The Farm and Ranch Lands Program (FRPP) helps one local farmer in South Central Virginia keep his historically significant land in agriculture. Landowner Jimmy Garnett’s family has made a living off this land since the 1760s. 

To protect the land, Garnett allowed the placement of a conservation easement on almost 300 acres. Since easements limit urban development on open land, purchasing easements can be quite costly. Working with the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was able to provide matching funds for the easement through FRPP.

Currently his entire operation of beef cattle includes approximately 500 beef cows covering 2,000 acres. Under the easement program, Garnett cannot add non-agricultural buildings and is limited to the number of ponds that can be built, according to agricultural needs. Since the easement is perpetual, future owners must abide by all terms and conditions of the land established in the agreement.

The true reward here for the Garnett family is that this valued land cannot be converted to nonagricultural uses. With the easement in place, the Civil War history and his family’s history will remain protected forever.

For more information regarding the FRPP or other conservation programs, please visit your local NRCS field office. Information is also available on the NRCS website at www.va.nrcs.usda.gov 

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