Protects viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements which prevent the development or improvement of the land for any purpose other than agricultural production. The program encourages landowners to make a long-term commitment to agriculture by offering them financial incentives and security of land use. It protects normal farming operations from incompatible non-farming uses and from complaints of public nuisance against normal farming operations. Conservation casements in Clinton County protect the agricultural economy and provide compensation to landowners in exchange for their relinquishment of the right to develop their private property. Farmers are paid the difference between the agricultural value and the nonagricultural value of their land. This technique helps farmers who are feeling the pressures of development to sell what can be called, "development rights" and still continue to farm. If that is done, then the owner of the easement, the county and/or state, has t