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1. What is the Agricultural Preserve Program?

"Agricultural Preserve" is governed by Minnesota Statute 473H. The program is designed to value and tax qualifying agricultural property located in the metropolitan area, in a manner similar to out-state Minnesota. Market Values for Agricultural Preserve property are based on sales of similar agricultural property not located in a metropolitan area.

2. What is required to enroll in the Agricultural Preserve Program?

The property must be zoned long-term agricultural by the local community, with a maximum residential density of one house per forty acres. The parcel must (normally) be forty acres in size, however, smaller tracts may qualify in certain instances. The owner(s) apply for Agricultural Preserve with the Local City / Township. The owner signs an eight-year perpetual covenant / agreement to leave the property in agricultural use, and farm using acceptable practices as approved by the County Agricultural Service. The Agricultural Preserve application must be filed with the County Recorder. Contact Anoka County Assessment Services at 763-324-1175 for more information.

3. Who can qualify and who has approval authority?

All owners of qualifying agricultural property may apply regardless of homestead status. The local city / township approves or denies the application. The agreement transfers with the land if it is sold, and does not remain with the owner.

4. What are the property tax benefits of Agricultural Preserves?

There is no deferred tax like there is in "Green Acres." Special assessments cannot be levied on Agricultural Preserve property. Annual property taxes are based on the agricultural market value only. An additional property tax credit of $1.50 per acre is applied; or the tax calculated using 105% of the statewide average tax rate is used if that tax is less than calculated using the $1.50 per acre credit.

5. How do I get out of Agricultural Preserve?

The owner(s) may file an "Expiration Notice" at any time and file the Expiration with the County Recorder. Eight years after the Expiration Notice is filed, the property is out of Agricultural Preserve. A waiver of the eight-year requirement may be granted only by action of the Governor due to some emergency.