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Criteria
Application[PDF]
APR Municipal Commonwealth Capital Program
Contacts
Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee Meetings
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Bureau of Land Use
Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (APR)
The APR Program is a voluntary program which is intended to offer a non-development
alternative to farmers and other owners of "prime" and "state
important" agricultural land who are faced with a decision regarding
future use and disposition of their farms. Towards this end, the program
offers to pay farmers the difference between the "fair market value"
and the "agricultural value" of their farmland in exchange for
a permanent deed restriction which precludes any use of the property that
will have a negative impact on its agricultural viability.
The state’s investment in the APR Program
benefits farmers, the state’s agricultural industry, the state and local
economies, consumers and the general populace in a number of important
ways.
- The program works to bolster the state’s $550,000,000 agricultural industry
by helping to keep farms in active commercial use, and by sending an important
signal to the industry and its farmers that Massachusetts is serious about
encouraging a strong and viable agricultural economy.
- Farmers whose land is accepted into the program are
able to realize equity from their land without being forced to sell their farms
for development purposes. The equity is often reinvested back into the protected
farm by way of the purchase of more land, equipment or buildings and through the
retirement of farm debt.
- A major portion of APR participants spend all or
most of their APR funds locally, thereby creating a link between private and
public benefit, and adding credence to the assertion that APR monies benefit
more than just individual farmers and, in reality, work to stimulate local and
state economies.
- The APR Program often represents the only means by
which farmers are able to plan their estates to allow for the transfer of
ownership of their farms to their children. By reducing the value of restricted
farmland to its agricultural value, gift or inheritance taxes can be greatly
reduced, thereby eliminating the need for second generation farmers to sell
their farmland in order to pay taxes.
- APR restricted farmland represents an opportunity
for young farmers just entering the business and other farmers in need of
additional land to purchase affordable farmland. The program serves to stabilize
farmland values and guarantee the long-term availability of farmland. This
factor is especially important in areas with escalating land values and is
critical for farmers who rent a large percentage of the land that they
farm.
- By protecting farmland, the APR Program works to
secure a continued high quality of life for Massachusetts residents. Farmland
not only contributes to the scenic beauty of the state, but it provides for
clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and recreational
opportunities.
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