LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) administers the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund, a program dedicated to the long-term preservation of agricultural land through the purchase of conservation easements. With funding appropriated by the Utah State Legislature, the program aims to permanently protect working farms and ranches that are under threat of development or ecological degradation. Through its strategic use of public dollars as match leverage, the program catalyzes additional federal, local, and private investment, thereby expanding the impact of the state's financial commitment. The Fund is administered by the Land Conservation Board, which operates independently under UDAF oversight. For the 2025 funding cycle, the program has allocated $1,000,000 in available grant funding. Grants may be requested for up to $500,000 per project and must be used exclusively for the direct purchase of perpetual conservation easements on qualifying agricultural properties. Transaction costs are not covered by the grant but may be supported through the Agricultural Resource Development Loan Program (ARDL). Projects must demonstrate high conservation value, such as high-quality soils, water access, or proximity to other protected lands, and must also be supported by a willing landowner. Strong preference is given to projects with match funding from entities like the USDA NRCS, local governments, or private donations. Applications are accepted year-round through the UDAF Submittable Portal. Beginning in Fall 2025, the program will operate on a twice-yearly batch review schedule. The Fall batch has a submission deadline of August 31, with staff review and site visits taking place in September and October. The board makes final decisions in November, and award notifications are issued by December 1. A Spring batch will begin in 2026 with a deadline of March 31, review activities occurring in April and May, board decisions finalized in June, and award announcements by July 1. Approximately half of the annual funding will be distributed during each cycle, although unallocated funds may roll forward or be reassigned at the board’s discretion. Eligible applicants include nonprofit land trusts, local government entities, Native American tribes, and other organizations capable of holding and stewarding perpetual conservation easements. Applicants must show demonstrated capacity to monitor, enforce, and manage easements according to both state and UDAF regulations. Projects that preserve water rights, enhance habitat, support historically underserved producers, or promote sustainable water usage are encouraged. Evaluation criteria for funding decisions include the agricultural viability of the property, the risk of land conversion, environmental conservation value, project readiness, cost-effectiveness, and applicant qualifications. All application materials, program requirements, and guidance can be accessed via the UDAF website. Prospective applicants are encouraged to engage with UDAF staff prior to submission for technical assistance and to ensure alignment with program goals. Key contacts for the program include Jeremy Christensen, Land Conservation Program Manager (jeremyc@utah.gov, 385-441-4106), Jan Kurecka, Conservation Easement Planner (jkurecka@utah.gov, 385-285-2115), and Michael Pleimling, Conservation Easement Planner (michaelpleimling@utah.gov, 801-385-4567). Additional information can be found at https://ag.utah.gov/land-conservation-program/. Applications are currently being accepted.

Applicants are encouraged to contact UDAF staff for technical assistance and pre-application consultation