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.
Program Status
As of July 2018, there are 22 farms preserved in Northumberland County under the farmland preservation program. These farms total 2,419.51 acres. We also have a waiting list of 56 farms totaling 6,525.04 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?
Board of Directors
Bill Geise
Chairman, Farmer
Rich Daniels
Vice-Chairman, Farmer
Mary Crone
Secretary/Treasurer, Farmer
Donald Ferster
Contractor
Benny Snyder
Township Supervisor
Tom Boop
At-Large Member
Dave Becker
At-Large Member
Judy Becker
Program Administrator
Questions?
Contact our office today at 570-495-4665 x 305 or jbecker@nccdpa.org and find out how you can get more involved with NCCD. We look forward to hearing from you!