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Agricultural preservation: county ranks six PDR applications, top two to seek state and federal funding
Summary
Kent County staff presented scores and rankings for six Purchase of Development Rights applications on Sept. 23; the Agricultural Preservation Board will review the results and the top two parcels are expected to move forward for MDARD and USDA/NRCS grant applications, with Tyrone Township offering local support.
Kent County's Community Health and Safety Committee reviewed 2025 application scores and rankings for the county’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program on Sept. 23.
Administrator Vanderburgh explained the PDR program was created during his earlier tenure and that the county assembled an Agricultural Preservation Board to review applications. Haley Stiekman, community development coordinator, told the committee the 2025 cycle ran from January through April and produced six applications. Staff scored each property using criteria last substantially updated in 2021 to align with state and federal ranking standards.
Stiekman said the scoring emphasizes factors such as prime soils and proximity to existing preserved land to create larger contiguous blocks of protected farmland. The top two scoring parcels will be advanced to the preservation process, including township approval and application for external grant funds. She said the primary grant funding sources are MDARD (Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development) and federal NRCS/USDA programs; Tyrone Township has indicated it may contribute local funds for one of the top parcels.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about why proximity to other preserved land is prioritized; Stiekman and Vanderburgh said creating blocks of protected land helps support agricultural supply chains and processors. The committee approved the recommended ranking by motion; Commissioner Morris moved and Commissioner Merchant seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote with five ayes and no nays recorded.
Stiekman said staff expects to submit state and federal funding applications for the prioritized parcels when those programs open, likely starting in February of the funding cycle. The county will bring forward specific preservation agreements and township contributions as the top parcels move through the PDR process.
