Land Preservation Board

Community Services Department
219 E Paw Paw Street, Suite 201
Paw Paw MI 49079
269.657.8200 X 1073

Meeting Location: Human Services West Building, 57418 CR 681, Hartford MI 49057

Meeting Time: 6:00 PM

Board Members

Emilly Hickmott

Chairperson

Conservation District representative

Julie Pioch

Secretary

Environmental representative

David DiStefino

Van Buren County Commissioner

Board of Commissioners representative

Ex Officio

Carl Druskovich

Member

Farmer representative

Chris Rickli

Member

Farmer representative

Dave Foerster

Member

Landowner representative

Kimberly Kiley

Member

Elected Official Representative

Michael Matheny

Member

Elected Official representative

Scott Cedarquist

Member

County Planning Commission representative

Vacant

Member

Realtor Representative

Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance (Amended 2024)

View Ordinance

Van Buren County is dedicated to preserving farmland and natural spaces. Our Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance allows property owners to sell development rights for cash. If your township’s Master Plan includes farmland preservation, you can apply for Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) grants from the State of Michigan.

Grant Resources

Virtual Board Meetings

Join our board meetings online: Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 964 916 3255 Passcode: 535680

Upcoming Meetings

Supporting Townships

Almena Twp.
Antwerp Twp.
Decatur Twp.
Hamilton Twp.
Lawrence Twp.
Paw Paw Twp.
Pine Grove Twp.
Porter Twp.
South Haven Twp.
Waverly Twp.

About the Land Preservation Board

Established in May 2005, the Land Preservation Board (LPB) consists of members appointed by the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners for two-year terms. They play a key role in farmland preservation. Meetings are held quarterly on the 2nd Floor of the Administration and Land Services Building, 219 Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw.

Farmland Preservation Success

Charles E. Lachman Conservation Easement
On September 27, 2007, Van Buren County purchased development rights from Charles Lachman in Paw Paw Township. His 81-acre land is now protected by a conservation easement. A celebration was held on May 3, 2008, with community leaders discussing the importance of this milestone. Read the article published in the May 9, 2008 Farmer’s Exchange.