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40 <br />Structuring a PDR Program <br />The first few years of a Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) must be <br />experimental and flexible. While a structured program is being implemented, the <br />Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) funds should be used to buy easements <br />on qualifying farmland, with an emphasis placed on farms within existing <br />agriculture districts, rural historic districts, farms with prime soils and significant <br />natural and cultural resources. During this transitional period, greater emphasis <br />is needed for counties and soil and water conservation districts to establish <br />agriculture protection districts. For North Carolina to have an effective FPP that <br />can help preserve our agriculture economy and protect our rural heritage, we <br />must have a fully - funded program that can preserve farmland in large <br />contiguous blocks, not isolated "museum farms" scattered throughout the <br />state. The #9 goal of a farmland preservation program is to preserve <br />enough of a state's productive farmland to perpetually maintain the land <br />base necessary for a viable agriculture industry. <br />For the program to capitalize on it's increasing interest and popularity <br />among farmers, continuing annual state appropriations are needed to fund the <br />NC Farmland Preservation Program, until a dedicated funding source can be <br />secured. The General Assembly's Smart Growth study commission earlier in <br />2001 recommended several possible funding sources to establish a dedicated <br />funding level for the program at a minimum of $15 million annually. <br />It is strongly recommended that NC FPP be funded at minimum . <br />appropriations of $1.5 million annually in FY 2009 -02 and 02 -03 so that <br />program can continue in its early demonstration phase without <br />interruption until a larger and dedicated funding source is found. The <br />North Carolina Department of Agriculture has requested continuation <br />appropriations of $1.5 million for farmland preservation program in their 2001 <br />budget request. Appropriation bills have been introduced in both the NC Senate <br />and House for this funding level. <br />