1. (a) An applicant shall apply to the community farms preservation program on a form provided by the Department, and provide the following information:

   1. (1) the full legal name(s) of the applicant(s);
   2. (2) any property title deed references in municipal land records;
   3. (3) copies of municipal tax assessor maps and field cards of the property;
   4. (4) the location, the total acreage, and acreage in active cropland of the property;
   5. (5) the amount of cropland of the property available for food or fiber production;
   6. (6) any prime farmland, statewide and locally important farmland soils map of the property;
   7. (7) a description of agricultural infrastructure, including buildings, other structures, water and other utilities;
   8. (8) a copy of any conservation plan, current farm business plan, leases, and recent grant awards; and (9) such other information as may be requested by the Commissioner.
2. (b) Upon receipt by the Department of a complete, signed application, the Commissioner shall initiate an evaluation of whether to purchase the development rights, and whether to do so with one or more eligible project partners, if applicable.

(Effective December 13, 2023)