We have fantastic news for Van Buren County! Our community has been awarded a $312,600 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to permanently protect our local farmland. Thanks to this exciting Agricultural Preservation Fund grant, 219 acres of the beloved Druskovich farm in Hamilton Township will be preserved for agricultural use forever.
Generations of Fresh Produce
Carl Druskovich is a sixth-generation farmer, and the wonderful news is that the next generation is already working alongside him to care for this beautiful land. This means their family will continue producing the delicious corn, fresh strawberries, and beautiful gladiolas we all enjoy for many years into the future.
How the Preservation Program Works
This incredible program works by allowing the county to purchase the “development rights” to the Druskovich property. While the Druskovich family keeps complete ownership of their land, a permanent easement guarantees the property can never be developed into anything other than a working farm. If the land were sold on the open market today, it would be valued at around $438,000. The grant essentially covers the difference between the land’s highest market value and its value solely as a farm. MDARD’s grant funding covers up to 75% of the cost to purchase these rights, with local partners and landowners making up the rest.
A Bright Future for Local Agriculture
This is a deeply meaningful milestone for us, as agriculture is vital to the heart of Van Buren County. Between 2012 and 2022, our community sadly lost nearly 44,000 acres of precious farmland. However, the tide is finally turning! This is the first time our county has preserved agricultural land through this specific MDARD program since 2008.
Lisa Ransler, our County Community Services Director, summed up the excitement perfectly: “helps today’s farmers and future generations as we lose agriculture — because it’s very important to Van Buren County”. Even better, our newly reformed Land Preservation Board is actively planning to pursue more of these amazing opportunities to support local growth while protecting the farmland that makes our community so special.
Get ready for a bright, green future, Van Buren County!
