Farmland Preservation
Through the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, the district works with local farmers, the Lebanon County Commissioners, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Farmland Preservation, to help preserve farmland in Lebanon County.
By voluntarily selling or donating agricultural conservation easements, the landowner prevents development of the land for purposes other than agricultural production, while retaining ownership.
Landowners who prefer a non-profit approach to preserving agricultural lands should contact the Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Inc.
Benefits of Farmland Preservation
- Protects land for future farm generations
- Maintains agriculture, which employs 2 out of every 5 people in Lebanon County
- Ensures farming is more affordable for future generations
- Assures that land is available to produce our food supply
- Lowers demand for public services and the taxes needed to support them lower
- Encourages soil and water conservation
- Preserves farm culture
- Retains open space, aesthetics and quality of life
- Qualifies eligible farms for potential tax incentive. Please check with your accountant
Requirements for Lebanon County Ag. Preservation Program
The farmland tract must:
- Be located in your municipality’s Agricultural Security Area.
- Contain at least 50% of soils which are available for agricultural production and are of capability classes I-IV.
- Contain 50% harvested crop land, pasture lands or grazing lands.
- Be at least 50 contiguous acres in size unless a minimum of 10 acres is of a unique crop or adjoining an attached perpetual agricultural conservation easement.
- Have a conservation plan meeting Resource Management System (RMS) standards and approved by the LCCD, including an "Act 38 level" of nutrient management plan review by the Conservation District by the time of closing.
- Be compatible with municipal land development plans.
- Be willing to accept a cap of $2500 per acre.
- Not have more than 50% of it's acreage enrolled in a reserve program such as CRP.
Farmland Preservation Facts
Total Number of Easements: 139
Total Acres of Farmland Preserved: 16,358 acres
Data by Municipality
Data current as of August 1, 2011
| Municipality | ACE* | Acreage |
|---|---|---|
| Bethel | 11 | 1324.14 |
| Cleona | 1 | 77.27 |
| Cornwall | 3 | 228.28 |
| East Hanover | 2 | 187.92 |
| Heidelberg | 13 | 872.85 |
| Jackson | 10 | 995.17 |
| Millcreek | 12 | 1356.67 |
| North Annville | 11 | 1214.39 |
| North Cornwall | 12 | 1120.28 |
| North Lebanon | 12 | 1204.90 |
| North Londonderry | 2 | 179.19 |
| Richland | 0 | 4.00 |
| South Annville | 27 | 3216.08 |
| South Lebanon | 24 | 2214.84 |
| South Londonderry | 8 | 794.38 |
| Swatara | 5 | 635.64 |
| Union | 0 | 3.00 |
| West Cornwall | 6 | 673.94 |
Note: Some farms cross municipal boundaries. Where this happens the easement is only counted once in the municipality with the most acreage.
*ACE = Agricultural Conservation Easement
Contacts
Stephanie Butler, Angie Foltz
717-272-3908 ext. 4
Charles Wertz
District Manager
717-272-3908 ext. 111