*This report has been replaced in its entirety by the Department of Forestry on December 18, 2024.

Commencing on July 1, 2024, as mandated by Virginia Code § 10.1-1119.2 (see Appendix 5), the Office of Farmland Preservation's (OFP) duties were transferred to the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF). This formed the newly named Office of Working Lands Preservation (OWL).

This annual report highlights the key achievements of both the former OFP and the current OWL during the period of Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov.30, 2024.

Significant accomplishments for OFP and OWL during this reporting period include the following:

• Continued to work with key agriculture, conservation, and government partners to refine the allocation process for state matching funds to local purchase of development rights (PDR) programs;

• Allocated $875,000 in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) state matching funds to six local PDR programs;

• Worked with local Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs to permanently preserve 43.049 acres (one easement) of working farm and forest land. OFP provided $40,528.16 of the $150,500.00 total purchase price and transaction costs paid for this easement;

Extended FY 2024 agreement with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) to reimburse VCE for workshops it conducted to help farm families and professional service providers transition farms and farming operations.

• Continued collaboration with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) on the management of the Certified Farm Seekers Program and continued improvements to the Virginia Farm Link website and database; and

• Completed transfer of responsibilities from OFP to OWL at DOF.