Agricultural Preservation Fund Grants

The 2025 Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund Grant, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Agricultural Preservation Fund Board, supports the preservation of farmland through the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. This initiative enables local units of government (counties or townships) with qualified PDR programs to purchase development rights from landowners, ensuring the land remains dedicated to agricultural use. The program emphasizes preserving farmland with significant agricultural capacity, strategic importance, or conservation potential while promoting intergovernmental collaboration and local commitment to land preservation. Approximately $1.9 million in funding is available for this grant cycle, with up to $250,000 set aside for new PDR programs (defined as those with three or fewer agricultural easements). Applications must include comprehensive supporting materials such as appraisals of development rights, conservation plans, maps, and documentation of local government commitment to farmland preservation. Projects must be consistent with local land use plans, demonstrate financial and administrative capacity, and comply with program guidelines to ensure farmland preservation aligns with community and state goals.