Farmland and Open Space Preservation

Local Government>Planning and Community Development>Farmland and Open Space Preservation

Aerial Photo of the Preserved Charles Lachman Farm [Click here to view full size picture]

Van Buren County is committed to the preservation of farmland and other natural features. The county Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance establishes a countywide purchase of development rights program that will allow applicants to receive a cash payout for the development rights to their property. Currently, the townships of Paw Paw, Antwerp, and Pine Grove have updated master plans that include farmland preservation. Residents in these townships are eligible to apply for the annual grant.

The county Farmland Preservation Board (LPB) plays an integral role in this effort. The LPB meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Floor of the Administration and Land Services Building, 219 Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw.

The Ordinance Ordinance	Scoring System Van Buren County Scoring System State of Michigan Ag Preservation Fund Procedures and Scoring
Frequently Asked Questions and Other Important Information Contact Information Information on Farmland Preservation Related Links Part 362 of NREPA Frequently Asked Questions Sample Township Participation Resolution	The Application The 2007 PDR application period is currently closed. Please feel free to download the application below. The application cycle will be open again in the Spring of 2008. 2007 APPLICATION DOCUMENTS Landowner Application Instructions Landowner Application Township, NRCS, County Land Management Sections Scoring System Worksheet
Charles E. Lachman Conservation Easement On May 3, 2008 the Land Preservation Board and Charles Lachman hosted a celebration at the Lachman farm to commemorate the first successful purchase of development rights on a Van Buren County Farm! Representative Tonya Schuitmaker, Pete TerLouw (Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy), Elizabeth Juras and Rich Harlow (Michigan Department of Agriculture) were also present to speak about the importance of this first preserved farm, the steps taken to get to this point, as well as where farmland preservation is headed in Van Buren County and the State of Michigan. Check out the article (left) about the event published in the May 9, 2008 Farmer's Exchange. On September 27th 2007, Van Buren County sucessfully purchased their first set of development rights from Charles Lachman of Paw Paw Township. Lachman owns an 81 acre parcel of land 1/2 mile south of Interstate 94 on M-51 Highway. He received a cash payout for selling his development rights to the county through an annual state funded grant program. The farmland will be permanently protected by a conservation easement that will prohibit development.	LPB Meeting Minutes LPB Meeting Minutes May 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes June 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes July 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes August 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes October 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes November 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes December 2007 LPB Meeting Minutes January 2008 LPB Meeting Minutes February 2008 LPB Meeting Minutes March 2008 LPB Meeting Minutes April 2008 LPB Meeting Minutes May 2008 LPB Minutes June 2008
Preserved Farmland Sign Art Competition The Van Buren County Farmland Preservation Board commemorated the above event by erecting a sign on the farm which proclaims it to passersby as being preserved farmland. The Farmland Preservation Board sponsored a competition for development of sign artwork which best conveyed an agriculture and open space preservation theme. Ms. Cortney Cowan of Lawton High School submitted the winning design displayed on the left. Congratulations Courtney!

This page last updated on 6/27/2008.