[20070105]RS22565_农场保护计划：现状和当前问题.pdf

Order Code RS22565January 5, 2007Farm Protection Program: Status and Current IssuesRene JohnsonAnalyst in Agricultural EconomicsResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryThe Farm Protection Program (FPP) is a voluntary federal program that providesfunding to buy conservation easements from farmers and ranchers in an effort to limitconversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses. FPP provides matching funds to stateand local governments and private organizations working with established farm andranch land protection programs, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA). Since 1996, the program has protected more than 449,000 acres throughoutthe United States. Authority for FPP expires September 30, 2007. Although demand toparticipate in FPP continues to grow, exceeding available funding, there are concernsabout how the program has been implemented. Among these concerns are land uselimitations and the federal governments “contingent right” on land under FPP-fundedeasements. During the 109th Congress, several bills were introduced to amend the FPPstatute and to raise program funding, but legislation was not enacted. Similar legislationmay be considered in the 110