June 10, 2008

Marshall, Mich. - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials honored Peter and Christine Bailey of Calhoun County for donating an 84 acre permanent conservation easement - a first for the county. It’s also the 22nd donation of development rights for the State of Michigan preserving open space or farmland for the continued use of the land in its current condition while restricting development of the land.

“I applaud the Bailey family for donating their development rights to keep the property in agricultural use,” said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. “Preserving Michigan’s prime farmland and open spaces through conservation easements ensures growth to our State's economy and helps make the Great Lakes a beautiful place to live and visit.”

Of the donated 84 acres, approximately 58 percent is devoted to agriculture production, including cultivated farm fields, a five acre orchard, and an 18 acre tree plantation. An additional portion of the farm contains 17 acres of woodland, six acres of wetlands, and a 20 acre kettle lake, a unique glacial geology feature.

MDA has received donations of conservation easements since 1994, as well as purchasing the development rights of farmland parcels throughout the state, under the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program. To date, the State’s Development Rights Program holds a total of 89 conservation easements, purchased and donated, preserving 19,220 acres of Michigan farmland.

Conservation easements may be donated to any qualified entity such as the State, a local government, or a land conservancy. The landowner can make a donation simply to preserve land that has been in the family for years and may receive favorable local and federal tax advantages for making the donation. Conservation easements can be considered as a charitable donation for purposes of federal taxes. Also, a new Michigan law provides for conservation easement protected land to retain the taxable value of the property at pre-conservation easement levels.

For more information on donating conservation easements, visit MDA’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/farmland or contact the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Office at 517-373-3328.