Farmland Preservation

Important fact: Between 1982 and 2012, the United States developed more than 31 million acres of agricultural land – an area equivalent to developing most of Iowa.

Program Overview

The Northumberland County Agricultural Land Preservation Program purchases agricultural easements on productive farms in Northumberland County. When the easement is sold, the owner keeps the land but no longer has the right to build non-agricultural buildings. The land must remain in farming in perpetuity. The farmer may sell the land, but the new owner must continue to follow the requirements of the agricultural easement.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, please visit PA Department of Agriculture.

Program Status

As of 2020, there are 23 farms preserved in Northumberland County under the farmland preservation program. These farms total 2,573 acres. We also have a waiting list of 54 farms totaling 6,273 acres waiting to be preserved.

Funding

Funding for the program comes from both the county and the state. The Northumberland County Commissioners may allocate money each year to preserve farms in Northumberland County. The remainder of the funding comes from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through cigarette taxes, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, and other sources.

Ready to Apply?

Are you ready to apply to this completely voluntary program?

Download Application

Board of Directors

Rich Daniels

Chairman, Farmer

Benny Snyder

Vice-Chairman, Farmer

Lance Gresh

Township Supervisor

Mary Crone

Secretary/Treasurer, Farmer

Donald Ferster

Contractor

Tom Boop

At-Large Member

Dave Becker