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Franklin County Commissioners Leverage Funds To Invest Almost $1M To Preserve Farms

Planning

February 11, 2025

Since 1990, Franklin County and the commonwealth have combined to invest more than $43.9 million to preserve 160 area farms and over 19,600 acres of farmland in Franklin County. (Richard Anderson Photo)

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners continue to emphasize the importance of protecting farmland from future development and recently approved $278,546 for agricultural preservation efforts. That investment leverages state funding to provide the county’s farmland preservation program with an additional $973,546, taking Franklin County’s total preserved farmland to approximately 21,500 acres over the next few years.

Franklin County is one of 58 counties that participate in the Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program. Through the program, the state, county and local governments can purchase conservation easements from farmers to slow the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses. Landowners apply to the county to participate in the Easement Purchase Program. Applications are ranked and then forwarded on to the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board for approval.

Participating counties receive state funds to help make these purchases, and most counties contribute matching dollars to amplify their buying power. Since 1990, Franklin County and the commonwealth have combined to invest more than $43.9 million to preserve 160 area farms and over 19,600 acres of farmland. Another 851 acres – nine farms – will go before the state board for consideration in 2025. Franklin County will also reach a significant milestone when it preserves its 20,000th acre later this year.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Franklin County’s heritage and a strong component of our local economy,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “Over 40% of Franklin County land is used for agriculture and agriculture-related activities, and Franklin County consistently ranks among Pennsylvania’s top producing counties for commodities like milk, apples, peaches and cattle. We bear those stats as a badge of honor. It is up to local leaders to protect and preserve that way of life for future generations.”

Pennsylvania leads the U.S. in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production. Since 1988, Pennsylvania has invested more than $1.7 billion in farmland preservation; to date, 6,482 farms and 646,754 acres of Pennsylvania farmland have been protected. Franklin County ranks 10th out of 67 counties in total acres preserved. For more information on the Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov or contact the Franklin County Planning Department at 717-261-3855 or planning@franklincountypa.gov.