Members of the Ottawa County Planning and Policy Committee unanimously approved the program Thursday morning, leaving one more stop before the program begins.

Officials developed the system as a way to preserve farmland in the county.

Farmers who voluntarily apply for the program and are chosen receive the value of development potential in exchange for maintaining the property.

The land must remain in agricultural use, even if it changes hands years later, unless a court decision is in place.

Other states have similar programs, officials said, and they have been successful.

"The value of farmland goes up once it's preserved," said Erika Rosebrook, assistant county administrator.

Mark Knudsen, director of the Ottawa County Planning and Grants Department, said the county's general fund money won't be used to purchase development rights -- state and federal money will be. However, townships, farmers or local foundations will have to provide money to help administer the application process of the program.

Knudsen said some residents have asked the county to try the program for five years and stop if it doesn't work, but the county's planning commission said the program needs 20 to 25 years to develop.

He said he also plans to do more research and figure out if land zoned both agricultural and residential can qualify for the program.