BENTON HARBOR — A workshop to teach farmers how to protect their farmland is coming to southwest Michigan.

A workshop, “Agricultural Preservation: Options to Protect Your Farmland,” will be hosted from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 25 at the Michigan State University Extension Office, 1737 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor. The meeting is free, but space may be limited. Interested parties can register by either calling the Berrien Conservation District at (269) 471-9111 ext. 3 or the Berrien County Farm Bureau at (269) 473-4701 by March 23. A free lunch sponsored by the Berrien County Farm Bureau will be provided after the presentations.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with presentations to start promptly at 10 a.m.

This workshop for farmers and landowners will provide the latest information regarding county and state programs on easements and farmland preservation according to organizers.

Speakers are Jarrod Thelen from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who will present on the state Farmland Preservation Program also known as PA 116; Katie Montoya from Berrien County Community Development will talk about the Berrien County Purchase Development Rights Program; and Ryan Postema from Chikaming Open Lands will discuss options and resources available to preserve farmland with a land conservancy.