Local land board reports 11 easements closed, seeks $2 million for FY26 and rolls out small‑farm easement option

The board overseeing farmland conservation reported that it closed 11 PDR easements this fiscal year, representing 832 acres and bringing the program's total conserved acreage to 33,089 acres. The board met in open session and later approved two motions related to funding and program operations.

Why it matters: The board said its new certified‑entity status with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is speeding up closings that previously required lengthy federal signoffs. Board leaders said the faster pace will let them add more protected parcels sooner and expand a newly launched Small Farm Conservation Easement Program aimed at smaller holdings.

Board officials described the 11 recently closed easements as a mix of crop and horse farms across several focus areas including North Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River corridor. Staff said the closings included several batch applications that connect previously unprotected parcels, creating larger contiguous blocks of conserved farmland. Several of the farms include historic structures or stone fences the board said will be preserved under easement terms.

Program details and eligibility: The board discussed a Small Farm Conservation Easement Program that targets parcels from 10 acres up to less than 20 acres. According to staff, eligible properties must be used for an active farming operation. Board members said there is immediate interest: during a premeeting outreach several landowners expressed readiness to participate once the program is available.

Funding decisions: After an executive (closed) session, the board returned to open session and unanimously approved a motion to request $2,000,000 for easement funding in the FY26 budget. The board also unanimously approved a separate motion recommending that staff seek additional operational funds with the county commissioner to handle the program's growing workload.

Easement portfolio in brief: Staff presented the 11 closed easements and summarized soil productivity scores and farm uses. Examples included a 140‑acre crop farm on Old Richmond Road with a 90% soil score; a 95‑acre horse farm called Champagne Run with a 95% soil score where the owner retained limited subdivision rights; and several smaller horse and crop farms with soil scores at or near 100% that add to conservation "critical mass" in key focus areas.

Process, next steps and board requests: Board members said staff will continue to solicit small‑farm candidates and asked members to help identify eligible landowners in their districts. Staff also said five additional farms totaling 551 acres are under contract pending closing.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded three formal votes in open session: (1) approve requesting $2,000,000 in FY26 easement funding (unanimous show of hands); (2) recommend that staff seek additional operational funds from the commissioner (unanimous); (3) election of officers (see below).

Election of officers: The board held the scheduled election and approved the slate presented at the meeting by show of hands.

What changed: Board staff said the certified‑entity status with NRCS allows the board to close easements locally rather than waiting for NRCS to execute each closing, a change staff described as materially increasing throughput of conservation transactions.

Documentation and follow up: Staff said they will provide maps and the easement documents to members and will continue outreach about the small‑farm program. The board set its next regular meeting date and asked members to confirm attendance in advance so staff can prepare for closed‑session items related to future closings and finances.