LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund is sponsored by Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Provides funding to preserve or restore critical agricultural land and open space in Utah by purchasing development rights through conservation easements.

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These funds are used as a source of matching dollars needed to unlock tens of millions of dollars from other federal and private sector sources available to complete the purchase of agricultural conservation easements .

This mechanism multiplies the impact of the state’s initial investment allowing for a significantly larger pool of resources and underscores a shared responsibility among the stakeholders for preserving agricultural landscapes for future generations. The independent Land Conservation Board administers the Fund for the purpose of providing grants for agricultural land preservation.

Local governmental entities, the Department of Natural Resources, UDAF, and charitable organizations that qualify as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply. Beginning in June of 2025, the program will begin accepting applications year-round, with decisions made twice annually (beginning in 2026) through a batching process.

This model should improve applicant flexibility, encourage high-quality proposals, and allow for deeper review and engagement by the board and staff. Applications may be submitted at any time during the calendar year through the UDAF Submittable Portal. Each application will be reviewed in the next scheduled batch cycle unless otherwise indicated at the time of submission.

Spring Batch: Deadline March 31 (beginning 2026) Fall Batch: Deadline August 31 Batch Deadline → March 31 / Aug 31 Staff Review & Site Visit Window → April–May / Sept-Oct Board Review & Final Decision → June / November Award Notification → July 1 / December 1 The Land Board will allocate approximately 50% of the annual grant budget to each batch. Unused funds may be rolled forward or reallocated at the board’s discretion.

Program Info and Eligibility Find out if your organization and project meet the programs requirements. If you are an agricultural landowner in Utah and are not yet working with a qualified entity like a land trust, please fill out the registration form and our team can assist you with your succession and easement planning.

Prepare your application to the LeRay McAllister Working Since its inception in 1999, the LeRay McAllister Fund has made $27,413,016 in grants preserving nearly 100,000 acres of land, two thirds of which is working agricultural land. Total project costs have amounted to $201,738,5092 creating a more than 7:1 leverage of State money for land conservation through the fund since its inception.

This leverage demonstrates a collaborative effort between the state, federal government, and private sector, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and commitment to addressing this critical conservation need. This type of leverage amplifies the State’s capacity to address complex challenges and implement impactful projects, ultimately benefiting communities and fostering broader economic and social development.

The program’s focus on agricultural lands ensures the protection of vital farmland, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and safeguarding the long-term viability of agricultural communities and markets. This entry was last updated on September 9, 2025 . Taylorsville, UT 84129-2128 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6500 Utah.

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