Applications for the Farmland and Natural Areas Program go through an extensive approval process. Here is the step-by-step process a successful application goes through:
- Landowner submits a pre-application form.
- County staff reviews pre-applications for completeness and for program eligibility.
- County staff informs the landowner of project status (eligible or ineligible).
- County staff schedules an onsite meeting with the landowner to:
- Discuss the project
- Discuss the FNAP criteria
- Conduct a basic site assessment, and
- Discuss next steps
- Landowner submits a final application.
- County staff prepares information and materials for Staff committee review.
- Staff committee reviews, evaluates, scores and ranks projects.
- Staff committee recommends projects to the County Board for continued consideration.
- County Board considers recommended projects and authorizes which ones will move forward for an appraisal and continued consideration.
- Landowner signs a Commitment of Interest Agreement and submits a refundable check for $750.
- Appraisals are conducted (at the County's expense).
- Discussions begin between the County and the landowner and other project partners.
- Projects are finalized and presented to the Staff committee for a final review and funding recommendation.
- Final projects are presented to the County Board for final funding approval.
- Stewardship or Natural Resource Management Plans are jointly developed and approved by parties.
- County Board-approved projects are closed and easements are recorded.
- Stewardship/Natural Resource Management Plans are implemented and annually monitored.