Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program helps protect productive agricultural land from future nonfarm development. Through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, eligible landowners can voluntarily sell the development rights attached to their property while continuing to own and farm the land.
The process is handled primarily through county agricultural land preservation boards, with oversight from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Requirements, application deadlines, ranking procedures, and available funding can vary by county, so early contact with the local board is essential.
For residents of the 187th Legislative District, Representative Gary W. Day’s office can also help constituents identify state resources and locate the appropriate government office. His updates, including a recent committee hearing summary, illustrate how legislative work connects communities with public programs.
A conservation easement is a legal agreement that limits development on agricultural property. When an easement is purchased, the land generally remains privately owned, and agricultural activities such as crop production, livestock operations, and farm-related structures may continue according to the easement terms.
The agreement is recorded with the property and remains in effect for future owners. Because it can permanently restrict subdivision and nonagricultural development, applicants should review the terms carefully with qualified legal and financial advisers before signing.
The program is designed to preserve farmland with strong agricultural value, protect contiguous farming areas, and support long-term agricultural production. Acceptance is competitive rather than automatic.
A farm usually must be located in an Agricultural Security Area, commonly called an ASA, before it can be considered for conservation easement purchase. ASAs are established through local government and provide protections for participating agricultural land.
Other eligibility factors can include acreage, soil quality, agricultural production, development pressure, access to farmland, and proximity to other preserved farms. County programs may apply additional standards or rank applications according to local priorities.
Landowners should ask the county board whether their property is already enrolled in an ASA and whether the county has a current application round. If it is not enrolled, the owner may need to begin that process before seeking easement purchase.
The first practical step is contacting the county agricultural land preservation board or county planning office. Request the current application packet, eligibility checklist, deadline, mapping requirements, and details about the county’s ranking system.
The county typically reviews the initial submission, verifies property information, and evaluates the farm against state and local criteria. If the application advances, additional review may involve a survey, title examination, appraisal, environmental assessment, and review by state officials.
Do not wait until the deadline to request documents. Property deeds, tax parcel information, farm records, maps, leases, and production information can take time to gather.
An application commonly requires the legal names of all owners, parcel identification numbers, acreage, deed information, a boundary map, and evidence that the property is actively used or suitable for agricultural production. The county may also request information about soils, crops, livestock, farm income, conservation practices, and existing development rights.
All owners with an interest in the property generally need to participate. Mortgages, liens, mineral rights, access agreements, leases, and other title matters should be disclosed because they may affect the easement transaction.
| Application Stage | What The Landowner Should Do | Typical Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Initial inquiry | Contact the county preservation board | Is the property eligible and when is the deadline? |
| Local application | Submit ownership, acreage, map, and farm information | Is the farm in an Agricultural Security Area? |
| Ranking and review | Respond to requests for records or clarification | How does the county prioritize applications? |
| State consideration | Complete surveys, appraisals, and title work if requested | Are all development rights clearly documented? |
| Easement closing | Review and sign final legal documents | What activities remain permitted after preservation? |
Pennsylvania counties may receive more eligible applications than available funding. Applications are therefore ranked using factors such as farmland quality, farm size, development threat, location within a farming region, and relationship to already preserved land.
Selection does not guarantee that an easement will be purchased immediately. Funding availability and appraisal results can affect timing, and the final purchase price may differ from an owner’s expectations. The county and state agencies will explain the valuation process and required approvals.
Applicants should keep copies of every submission and respond promptly to county requests. Changes in ownership, acreage, financing, or land use during review should be reported rather than handled informally.
Before accepting an offer, study the proposed agricultural conservation easement and ask how it affects farm buildings, home sites, divisions, renewable energy installations, public utilities, hunting, forestry, and succession planning. Permitted uses should be clear before the agreement is executed.
An attorney familiar with conservation easements can explain restrictions, enforcement provisions, future transfer issues, and tax considerations. An accountant or qualified tax professional can discuss how proceeds may affect income, capital gains, estate planning, and eligibility for other agricultural programs.
State and county offices may provide general program information, but they cannot replace individualized legal or tax advice. Careful review protects both the farm operation and the family’s long-term plans.
Landowners ready to explore preservation should begin with their county agricultural land preservation board and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s farmland preservation resources. Constituents may also contact Representative Day’s office for help locating state or county contacts, just as the office shares information about legislation affecting local communities, including volunteer firefighter legislation. Starting early gives property owners time to verify eligibility, assemble records, and make an informed decision about protecting Pennsylvania farmland.