Norwich -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for its Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program for this year through Feb. 15.

“The FRPP program helps ensure that valuable, productive land is protected,” Lisa Coverdale, Connecticut NRCS state conservationist, said in a news release. “Since 1996, NRCS has provided more than $32 million to protect farms in Connecticut.”

The program provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep farms in agricultural uses, providing up to 50 percent of the fair market easement values of the conservation easement.

To qualify, farmland must be part of a pending offer from a qualified state, tribe, or local farmland protection program, be privately owned, contain at least 50 percent prime, statewide, or local important farmland soils, and include at least one-third cropland, grassland, and pasture land of the total acreage. All funds will be awarded to the highest ranking eligible parcels through a statewide, competitive process. Applications submitted after Feb. 15 will be held for the next funding opportunity.

For information, visit: www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/programs, or call (860) 887-3604.