Agricultural Preservation
Loss of farmland to other land uses is a major concern for the agricultural community and the region. Framers and landowners face difficult economic pressures, compounded by the struggle to make a living in farming. The farming population is aging, and fewer people are seeking to make a career of farming due to a variety of reasons including the business risks involved.
 In response to this issue, Pennsylvania legislators worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the counties to develop a very effective method for farmland preservation. In this county/state purchase of development rights program, farm owners are paid for their development rights and the farm remains as available farmland. As of May 2006, 2,750 farms, totaling 300,000 acres, have been preserved statewide. Lehigh County has preserved 186 farms for a total of 15,920 acres; Northampton County has preserved 65 farms for a total of 7,804 acres; Bucks County has preserved 394 farms for a total of 44,858 acres. Pennsylvania ranks number one nationwide for acres of farmland preserved.
This state/county funded program protects farmland from conversion to other uses into perpetuity. These farms will be available for agricultural use for future generations. Another benefit of these preserved farms is that they are generally more affordable for new farmers to purchase and get established in a farming business.
We, at the Conservancy, welcome the opportunity to work with you on farmland protection. Together we can benefit the agricultural community as well as you and your family!
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