Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL
Chapter 37 - RULES GOVERNING THE VOLUNTARY MUNICIPAL FARM SUPPORT PROGRAM
Section 001-37-4 - FARM APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. A statement, signed by all legal owners of the property, that declares the owners' desire to enter into a Farm Support Arrangement with the municipality through the grant of a temporary Agricultural Conservation Easement for a term of at least 20 years on a specific Tax Parcel or Tax Parcels of farmland located in the municipality. This statement shall acknowledge whether the owners will retain professional legal services to review the easement document on their behalf, or have elected to waive any legal representation. The statement shall also acknowledge that if the municipality approves a Farm Support Arrangement, the owners agree to pay all of the municipality's costs for preparing and filing the Agricultural Conservation Easement in the appropriate County Registry of Deeds;

B. A list of the farmland and farm buildings that would be subject to the proposed Agricultural Conservation Easement;

C. An aerial photograph of the property that clearly delineates the farmland and farm buildings that would be subject to the proposed Agricultural Conservation Easement. If the proposal is approved by the municipality, then the owner may choose, at the owner's expense, to survey the land subject to the easement. Otherwise, an aerial photograph that clearly delineates the subject farmlands, farm buildings and easement boundary is sufficient documentation.

D. If the owners have a mortgage on the farmland or farm buildings, a list of each mortgaged asset noting the loan amount, pay-off date and lender's contact information;

E. A Farm Income Report which can be either the farmland owners' IRS Income Tax Form-Schedule F or a table that lists each Agricultural Crop, the average annual yield and the fair market value of the yield based upon the price or value per unit multiplied by the number of units produced; and

F. Two letters of support from either individuals or businesses within the municipality that describe the importance of supporting and protecting the specific farmland and farm buildings through a Farm Support Arrangement.