William Schroyer Bequest to Preserve Hundreds of Acres of Franklin County Farmland

At their meeting on Wednesday, the Franklin County Commissioners presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the family of the late William Schroyer. Mr. William Schroyer bequeathed a portion of his estate to Franklin County to ensure farmland is available for years to come.

Ken Schroyer, brother to William, attended the Board of Commissioners’ meeting remotely and accepted the certificate on behalf of the Schroyer family. He explained that his brother’s connection to the county’s farmland was a connection that began at birth.

“William was born in Waynesboro and grew up on a dairy farm . . . working the land and milking the cows by hand. He lived in Pennsylvania all of his life except for his years spent in the military,” said Mr. Ken Schroyer. William was a teacher in Franklin County and “preservation of land was one of his loves,” he said.

The Board expressed their gratitude for the Schroyer family’s support and contribution. “It’s families like yours that really make Franklin County what it is . . .  the best county in Pennsylvania,” said Commissioner John Flannery. William Schroyer’s donation of $268,729.66 will be used toward agricultural easements through the Franklin County Farmland Preservation Program and will nearly double what the county is usually able to preserve in any given year.

“This generous donation will be used to supplement the county’s funding and will enable the program to potentially preserve an additional 275 acres of farmland,” said Rochelle Barvinchack, Planner III for Franklin County.

Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller explained the financial impact created beyond the dollars donated, “Every dollar from the county, or from donations made to this program, leverages several hundred thousand dollars more of funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. So this is truly a magnificent and huge legacy from your brother.”

“Mr. William Schroyer’s donation is an investment in the future of Franklin County’s agricultural industry and for that we are grateful,” said Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski.

Last year, the Board of Commissioners allotted $150,000 for farmland preservation which leveraged an additional $609,680 in state funding. Franklin County has preserved 141 farms and 17,991 acres of land to date and is ranked 11th in the state for acres preserved.

“This donation will go a long way in helping to preserve our farmland for future generations,” said Barvinchack.

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, established in 1988, helps to slow the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses by allowing state, county and local governments to purchase conservation easements, also called development rights, from owners of quality farmland. Farm owners can apply locally and applications are ranked and forwarded to the state board for approval. Farms are chosen based on quality and size, stewardship and management practices, and the likelihood of conversion to non-agricultural use. To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program, visit agriculture.pa.gov or contact Director of Planning Steve Thomas at (717) 261-3855.

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