Franklin County Commissioners Focused On Agricultural Conservation Efforts

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners continue to emphasize the importance of protecting farmland from future development by investing in agricultural preservation across the county. Now, with the commissioners’ 2023 investment in conservation efforts, Franklin County is on pace to have preserved over 21,000 acres of farmland and as many as 172 farms in 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 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 $35.5 million to preserve 149 area farms and 18,719 acres of farmland. Another 1,476 acres – 15 farms – will go before the state board for consideration later this year and in 2024.

For 2023, the commissioners have appropriated $775,783 for agricultural preservation. That allocation, along with a $1,269,164 state contribution, gives Franklin County an additional $2,044,947 to further increase its farmland conservation efforts. Those funds could preserve 817 more acres and as many as eight farms when considered by the state board in 2025, bringing Franklin County’s total amount of preserved farmland to 21,012 acres and as many as 172 farms.

“Franklin County’s roots are tied to farming. So much of our land is considered prime soil and we have a long, proud history of being a leading contributor to the state’s and nation’s agricultural economy,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “Growing interest among farmers to preserve their farms and increasing development pressures on farmland inspired us to boost our conservation contributions in 2022 and 2023, which has allowed us to safeguard even more farmland 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 $1.6 billion in farmland preservation; to date, 6,180 farms and 622,238 acres of Pennsylvania farmland have been approved for easement purchases. Franklin County ranks 13th out of 67 counties in total farms preserved and 11th in acres under easement. 

“We hear it time and again: anyone who lives in, works in or visits Franklin County values our natural landscapes and rural charm. Farmland preservation is a must,” said Commissioner John Flannery. “As commissioners, it’s up to us to protect that quality of life, both now and into the future.”

“While growth is inevitable, it’s also important to make efforts to preserve our way of life through conservation efforts,” said Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski. “The Easement Purchase Program is a voluntary program that gives us the ability to protect these farms in perpetuity, in partnership with farmers.”

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.

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