Volusia County Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Agricultural Easement Funding

Posted On: November 14, 2024

The Volusia Forever program has teamed up with the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) in the Lake to Lagoon Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which provides funding to acquire agricultural easements from private landowners and farmers throughout Volusia County. Landowners interested in preserving their agricultural properties and supporting conservation efforts are invited to apply for funding. This federal funding program is accepting applications through Nov. 30.

Funded by taxpayer approval, Volusia Forever is dedicated to acquiring and preserving environmentally sensitive lands. Its mission includes protecting water resources, providing outdoor recreational opportunities, and supporting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. This collaborative effort seeks to conserve and restore critical landscapes in the Lake to Lagoon region of Central Florida to protect Volusia County agriculture and benefit water resources, wildlife habitats, and local communities.

Within the Lake to Lagoon region, Volusia County and ACT will partner to acquire agricultural conservation easements that prevent future, large-scale development rights associated with the property and conserve working farms, forestlands, and natural areas. This is accomplished by cost sharing the implementation of research-based land management activities and compensating landowners for easements designed to protect agriculture in the future.

For more information, landowners in Volusia County can contact Land Acquisition Manager Tim Telfer at 386-943-7081, ext. 13460, or [email protected]. For more information about ACT, contact Strategic Conservation Manager Susan Carr at 803-295-2229 or [email protected].