Zeeland farms protect their legacy through Farmland Preservation Program
Mark and Norma Jongekrijg (left) and Tom Holstege (right)
Photo credit: Rich C. Lakeberg
Zeeland-based Holstege and Jongekrijg farms have permanently protected the future of their land. Their decision to create agricultural conservation easements ensures 131 acres can be used to produce local food and preserve rural character in perpetuity.
Ottawa County is a major source of agribusiness and one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. Through efforts like the Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program, the county, along with local units of government and other stakeholders, is working to balance urban growth and agriculture industries.
A 38-acre certified Michigan Centennial Farm, the Holstege farm raises cattle and grows cash crops that are primarily used within the local agricultural industry. The Jongekrijg farm has 92 acres of both cash crops and cattle, and it has implemented several conservation practices on its land.
“I was sure there for awhile the last thing I ever planted here was going to be houses. Farmland is going so fast. I’m just really happy I got in the program so that I could preserve the farm,” said Tom Holstege.
Once a municipality adopts a resolution to participate in the Farmland Preservation Program, landowners with agriculturally zoned properties may apply to sell their development rights to the county by creating a permanent agricultural conservation easement. The Agricultural Preservation Board then reviews and scores each application and makes the yearly property selections. No county money is used to pay landowners for these rights. The program is completely funded through private donations, state and federal grants, and landowner contributions. Once the permanent easement has been created, the landowner still owns the land.
The Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program works to protect the agricultural legacy of Ottawa County by educating the community on the pressure farms face and permanent agricultural easements. Thus far, eight farms have preserved 697 acres through the Ottawa County Purchase of Development Rights Program. For more information, visit https://www.miottawa.org/Departments/Planning/PDR_program.htm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
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