You asked (1) how a person can apply for the farmland preservation program, (2) how many farms have been preserved under the program, and (3) how much has been spent for the program.

DOAg evaluates applications according to the program's criteria (CGS § 22-26cc). If the farm meets minimum scoring criteria, the commissioner may accept the application. An appraiser appraises the farm for the unrestricted market value and the market agricultural value, and the difference between the two indicates the value of development rights.

DOAg reviews the appraisals with the landowner and may negotiate with the landowner for the farm's development rights. DOAg presents the landowner a letter from the commissioner representing the agreed upon price. DOAg submits a detailed report to the State Properties Review Board for its review and approval. DOAg requests funds from the State Bond Commission to acquire the development rights. Upon Bond Commission approval, the state obtains an A-2 survey and title search of the property. Upon completion, the conveyance of the development rights is executed and a check for the development rights processed. After all the documents are approved by the attorney general, a closing is held and the documents and maps are recorded in the local land records. Further information about the program is available on DOAg's website http: //www. ct. gov/doag/cwp/view. asp?a=1368&q=259136

The program has preserved 234 farms consisting of approximately 32, 200 acres since its inception in 1978. Offers are currently pending on 13 farms totaling 1,104 acres and negotiations are underway for a further 30 farms totaling 2,936 acres.

Since its inception, the state has authorized $ 107. 8 million in bonding for the program, of which $ 90. 2 million has been allocated. The pending offers amount to $ 4. 7 million. In addition to the state funding, the program has received $ 6 million in funding from the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection program, most recently $ 2 million in FY 07.

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