Kentucky Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) Program (PACE)

Kentucky's state farmland-preservation program, created by the General Assembly in 1994. It holds perpetual agricultural conservation easements that keep farmland from being developed while the owner keeps ownership and the right to sell. PACE currently accepts only donated easements, which may carry tax benefits for the donor, rather than buying them. Over 31,500 acres on 200+ farms are protected.

• Kentucky farmland owners willing to donate a perpetual agricultural conservation easement.

• Before applying, review the PACE Welcome Packet and consult tax and legal advisors.

• Donors pay for the appraisal, title opinion and survey.

Perpetual agricultural conservation easement. The landowner keeps ownership and can sell or transfer title. The donation process takes 9 to 18 months.

Published amounts: No payment at present: donated easements only. Donors should 'expect an out of pocket expense' for an appraisal, title opinion and survey, and are told to 'Speak with your tax advisor and legal counsel on the benefits of donating an agricultural conservation easement'. Historically PACE bought development rights with NRCS FRPP/ACEP matching funds ('over 14 million dollars').

Fill out the PACE Donation Application and mail it with the required documents to KDA/PACE, 111 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. A PACE representative will then contact you. Questions: PACE Program Coordinator, 502-782-4131.

Deadline text on the page: Rolling donation applications. 'Please be mindful that the process to complete a donation takes 9 to 18 months.' Purchase rounds are not currently offered.