Federal Funds Help Protect Valley Farm  

Pulaski, Va., August 8, 2006–A family farm in Pulaski County, Virginia, will be preserved for future generations thanks to a partnership effort between the federal government and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.  The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $53,400 in matching funds under the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) to purchase a conservation easement on 119 acres of the Herbert French Farm.  

To landowner Herbert French, the easement means keeping the land permanently protected for his children and future generations.  Currently, his daughter and two sons help with animal management and feeding on his beef and sheep farm.  With today’s easement signing, the dream of knowing the farm will always be there has come true for the French family.

Located in the Town of Pulaski, the farm is part of the New River Valley Corridor, one of the state’s most pristine natural areas.  Several groups are actively working to keep the land in farms and forests from being developed and to ensure the natural character of this area.   

The land is important to French who has installed several conservation practices to protect natural resources.  He fenced the cattle out of the creeks that run through the property and installed alternative water sources with cost-sharing from NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  He also planted a riparian buffer along one of the creeks to improve water quality.  He switched to intensive rotational grazing to improve forage production on his pastureland.

This easement is important to the community and the local economy, says Tamara Vance of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.   “Permanent protection of this property will help maintain the rural character of the area.   The farm adjoins the New River Trail State Park, a popular hiking and biking trail that attracts thousands of people each year.  The view of animals grazing green pastures will be a welcome site to those who come to enjoy the scenery.”

FRPP helps communities and groups that are trying to stem the loss of farmland by paying up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement.  This program allows NRCS to enter into agreements with states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.  For more information on FRPP in Virginia, email barry.harris@va.usda.gov or contact the Christiansburg USDA Service Center at 540/382-3262 ext. 101.

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