On August 8, Lapeer County voters will decide a proposal that would provide funds (6/10 mill for eight years) to purchase development rights (PDR) on farmland in Lapeer County and provide funding for township, village, city and county parks. The proposed millage would generate $1.7 million in the first year. It could also leverage federal matching funds dollar for dollar, plus three state dollars for each local dollar and has the potential to protect up to 16,000 acres of farmland.

In 1999, a grassroots group made up of landowners, community leaders, elected officials and others formed the Citizens for Farmland Preservation and Quality Growth (CFPQG). In 2000, 80% of respondents in a survey of 2,500 landowners supported preserving family farms; 81% favored saving land for future food production; and over 77% supported zoning to limit new homes in rural areas.

In 2002, the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners adopted the Lapeer County Farmland Preservation Ordinance. In 2003, the board appointed members of the Agriculture Preservation Board, and during 2004-05, 15 townships adopted the Farmland Preservation Ordinance. In 2005, 15 farmland owners applied to the Agriculture Preservation Board to sell their development rights. The board accepted five applications. In June 2005, CFPQG organized a Preserving Our Farmland & Parks Committee (PFP) and registered with the county clerk to develop and promote a ballot proposal to provide funding for the county PDR program. During the process, participants became aware that other valuable open spaces-aging parks throughout the county-were suffering from lack of funds for renovation. The decision was made to propose a millage that would address both of these issues.

The PFP Committee is educating voters about the program and the importance of preserving farmland and parks-both of which improve quality of life, protect the environment and protect an agricultural industry that contributes over $50 million annually to the local economy. The committee is attempting to raise $60,000 for its mission. Support from the community has been rewarding; however, because the benefits of this program extend beyond Lapeer County, organizers are seeking financial support from across the state to help pass this millage proposal.

For more information, contact Campaign Coordinator Marie Kenny at (810) 245-6207. Contributions to support the ballot campaign are welcome. Make checks payable to "Preserving Our Farmland & Parks" and mail to PFP Committee, PO Box 1073, Lapeer MI 48446.