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37 Page 4 farmland preservation report (Continued from page 3) acres in large contiguous blocks, starting with its first block of 450 acres, according to program di- rector Michael Kane. Approvals are. expected at the end of January. Latest PDR is in Tidewater region James City County is better known for its historic treasures — Williamsburg and James- town — than for its farmland, which figures only minimally in the county's land base of 94,000 acres —just 5,500 acres in use for crops. "The good news is, that's a good reason to protect it," said Michael Drewry, program admin- istrator in the county's Department of Community Services. Drewry is set to administer a newly en- acted program, which will open its first applica- tion period this spring. He said the county is pre- dominantly timberland with "pockets of good farmland" that made the program develop with plenty of flexibility for open space and historic and scenic resources. The program also took its cue from Albe- marle, using the language "but not the program," Drewry said. "We deleted a lot. Ours is not going to adjust for income." The program will use a point system for ranking and appraisals for valua- tion. Drewry said working farmland will rank highest in the points system. The county is concerned about development affecting how tourists enjoy historic sites, and has in the past stepped in to purchase properties that were in danger of development. City led way for counties Virginia's only other local PDR program is in the City of Virginia Beach, which was the state's lone PDR program for six years. In 1995 the city's Department of Agriculture targeted 20,000 acres in its southern rural area, and adopted the use of installment purchases from Howard County, Md., to stretch its dollars. Last May it celebrated 5,000 acres protected. Contact: Chuck Johnston, Clarke County, 540 955 -5100; Wayne Cilimberg, Albemarle, 434 296- 5823, ext. 3254; Mary Heinricht, AFT, 540 829- 5220; Peter Mitchell, Fauquier, 540 349 -5314; Michael Kane, Loudoun, 703 737 -8868; Michael Drewry, James City County, 757 259 -3161. etcetera ... January 2002 Farm bill due back in action this month WASHINGTON, D.C. — Time ran out for passage of the farm bill prior to holiday re- cess, with Republicans working to block a vote on legislation that would have included $850 million for the Farmland Protection Program. But Congress is returning Jan. 23, and Democrats will likely take up the farm bill as soon as possible. Fifty-four members of the Senate voted to end debate and move the legis- lation forward, but 60 votes were needed in the waning hours before Christmas recess. "At some point the Republican lead- ership made the call that they weren't going to let it happen," said Russ Shay of the Land Trust Alliance. Since then, the White House has promised it will support the $171 billion farm bill when it comes back, even though it held all along that it was too costly and continued a historically flawed commodity subsidy system that contradicts the administration's free mar- ket philosophy. A strong bi- partisan plan to end the subsidy system and move to- ward payments for conservation failed by a narrow margin. The farm bill will likely be scruti- nized as Congress begins work on the budget. Public criticism of subsidies to corporate ag operations is certain to grow following internet publication by the Environmental Working Group in December of all the names of producers nationwide, and the subsidy amounts re- ceived.