Fauquier Land & Farm Conservation (Webinar)

Join the Piedmont Environmental Council’s Julian Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund and Fauquier County Agricultural Development for a webinar to learn more about conservation easements and the county’s Purchase of Development Rights Program.

Topics covered will include:

• Overview of conservation easements
• Overview of the County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program
• Potential financial and tax incentives
• Steps to donating an easement and participating in the PDR Program

This webinar will be presented by Ray Pickering, Fauquier County Agricultural Development Director, Claire Catlett, PEC Field Representative, and moderated by Maggi Blomstrom, PEC Field Representative.

*This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

This Zoom webinar will be recorded and available for viewing after the event. All materials are available to be emailed or snail-mailed per request. Please contact Maggi Blomstrom, mblomstrom@pecva.org or (540) 347-2334 ext. 7067 to receive a copy.

MORE ABOUT THE SUBJECTS COVERED:

A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or a non-profit conservation organization that places permanent limits on the future development of the property in order to protect the conservation values of the land. In return, a donation of a conservation easement may provide for federal income tax deduction, Virginia state income tax credit, estate tax reduction, and reduced real estate taxes.

The Fauquier County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program is a voluntary program that pays landowners to protect the farmland and natural resource assets of their property. The PDR Program allows landowners to enter into agreements to sell the development potential of qualifying property to the County while maintaining the right to continue to own and use the property. The purpose of the PDR Program is to protect farmland and retain the agricultural industry’s critical mass, in particular, farm parcels that are economically viable operations. Fauquier County PDR Program is currently accepting applications now through June 30, 2020. The County typically holds two enrollment periods per calendar year.

While this webinar is focused on Fauquier County, much of the information is relevant to other geographies and all are welcome to attend.

Questions? Contact Maggi Blomstrom at mblomstrom@pecva.org or (540) 347-2334 x7067

Photo credits: Cattle stream exclusion by John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District; Wildflower meadow by Claire Catlett; Farmland aerial by Will Parson, Chesapeake Bay Program.