Eric B. Banks, state conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Kansas, announced a ranking cutoff date of April 4 for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.

Working through FRPP, the USDA partners with state, tribal or local governments and non-governmental organizations to acquire conservation easements on private lands. USDA provides up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value of the conservation easement.

“In 2013, NRCS provided $1,809,450 in matching funds to enroll 7,325 acres in the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program,” Banks said.

For information on eligibility or registration go to  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ks/programs/easements/farmranch/