BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich. — A workshop, “Agricultural Preservation: Options to Protect Your Farmland” will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Thursday, November 17th at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI. The meeting is free, but space may be limited. Please register by either calling the Berrien County Conservation District at 269-471-9111 x3, or, emailing Nancy.Carpenter@macd.org by November 11th. A free lunch sponsored by the Berrien County Farm Bureau will be provided after the presentations and during a panel discussion.
Doors open at 9:30 am with presentations to start promptly at 10:00 am.
This workshop for farmers and landowners will provide the latest information regarding county and state programs on easements and farmland preservation.
Speakers are Jarrod Thelen from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who will present on the state Farmland Preservation Program also known as PA 116; Elizabeth Brost will discuss the State of Michigan Purchase of Development Rights Program, Katie Montoya from Berrien County Community Development will talk about the Berrien County Purchase of Development Rights Program; Ryan Postema from Chikaming Open Lands will discuss options and resources available to preserve farmland with a land conservancy, and Ed Kretchman will give a landowners perspective. A panel discussion will follow.
Virtual option meeting link: https://fbinsmi.webex.com/fbinsmi/j.php?MTID=m6ab9ca2dc920675a9e33e4354bf13f28
Or, join by phone: 1-877-668-4493, use Meeting number/access code 2317 388 0162, and meeting password mUwfpYGW623.
— Berrien County Conservation District