© 2024 WEKU
Lexington's Radio News Leader
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WEKU's Spring Campaign for Support Has Ended! Thank you to our generous supporters! If you missed out, it's not too late. Click here to make your donation!

Protected Farms Are Increasing In Fayette County

Fayette County’s merged government continues its effort to preserve agricultural farmland found outside the urban center of Lexington.  City council members were updated last week on the purchase of development rights program. 

PDR Director Beth Overman said the 13 farm applicants this year were the highest number in a decade.  Overman added eight of the 13 have already been approved for federal matching funds. “You all often ask us ‘is that federal money still going to be there.  Is it stable and yes, they actually increased it in the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Overman.

PDR Board Chair Gloria Martin said all the local dollars set aside to match federal money have been committed.  Council Member Susan Lamb said that’s likely to be a discussion point next spring during budget consideration.  “We’re up to level with each other as far as the existing applications and everything so I guess when you all start pulling in the 2021 applications is when we’ll need to start thinking about how do we move forward with for matches,” noted Martin.

Martin said it’s expected the federal match will also come for the remaining five applicants.  The PDR program now has protected more than 30,000 acres through 280 farms.  The ultimate goal is to protect 50,000 acres.

If you appreciate access to this important content during this global pandemic, please help us continue to provide public service journalism and information to Central and Eastern Kentucky communities. Please make your contribution to WEKU today.

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content