The Washtenaw Land Trust (WLT) has been awarded its second grant in less than a year under the Federal Farmland Protection Program. This grant will be used to purchase the development rights on a farm in Bridgewater Township that is owned and farmed by Jim Vershum and his wife Charlotte.

The farmland will be protected through the purchase of development rights, where a landowner is paid for the difference between the value of the land used for agriculture and the value of that same land if it were used for development. In exchange, a permanent deed restriction is placed on the property that limits the use of the land to agriculture or open space.

The 117 acres of farmland to be protected are considered prime agricultural soil. Vershum, a dairy farmer, currently grows soybeans, corn, and hay on the land as feed for his 150 dairy cows.

The federal program will contribute 50 percent of the cost of purchasing the development rights on the land, up to $165,000. The remainder of the cost will be covered through donation by the Vershums and through a contribution from the WLT.

The WLT is planning a two-year capital campaign to raise the approximately $83,000 it will need for its contribution to the deal. "Our organization is pleased to have the opportunity to work with the federal program and with the Vershums to preserve this land," said WLT Executive Director William Hanson. "We are committed to this project. In fact, several members of our board have already contributed substantial donations of their own money to kick-start the campaign."

"I'm looking forward to starting this campaign," added Janae Reneaud, Development and Grants Manager. "I'm excited that we will be focusing on such a worthy project."

Last year, WLT won a grant under the same federal program for up to $126,000 to preserve 74 acres on a Freedom Township farm owned by Carolyn Strieter.

The Washtenaw Land Trust is a non-profit organization that works to protect farmland, natural areas and open space in and around Washtenaw County, Michigan, and to educate members, local officials and the public on land use issues. To date, WLT has protected 1,567 acres of land. For more information, contact WLT at info@washtenawlandtrust.org or at 734-302-LAND(5263).