C34—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 19,1980
Lebanon County Commissioner Ed Arnold, front left, shares farm land
preservation ideas with panelists, left to right, Amos Funk, president of the
Lancaster County Agricultural Preservation Board; David Schreffler, chairman
of the Millcreek Township Planning Commission; Chris Allen, Pennsylvania
Farmers Association; Dan Cook, PDA; and Earl Meyer, Lebanon County Plan
ning Department.
Lebanon County
(Continued from Page C 33)
farm land, a prune resource
not readily reclaimed, to
maintain and protect the
recharging and quality of
ground water vulnerable to
pollution because of sub
surface limestone for
mations, and to provide
aesthetic relief from urban
development and open space
for the recreation and
refreshment of the citizens.”
Development is prohibited
in ag districts except for the
building of homes for the
farmers family. These
homes would be built on non
pnme farm land after the
farmer has filed an appeal
with the township advisory
board.
‘•Ag districts encourage
the farming business,”
concluded Schreffler, “by
reducing the zoning
restrictions, such as set back
distances for buildings, and
giving the farmer fewer
hassles.”
Development is prohibited
in ag districts except for the
building of homes for the
farmers family. These
homes would be built on non
prime farm land after the
farmer has filed an appeal
with the township advisory
board.
“Ag districts encourage
the farming business,”
concluded Schreffler, “by
reducing the zoning
restrictions, such as set back
distances for buildings, and
giving the farmer fewer
hassles.”
Dan Cook, a farmer and
director of the Pa. Depart
ment of Agriculture’s
Bureau of Planning,
Research, and Economic
Development, refreshed the
group’s memories on the
state legislation that has
been passed to help save
farm land.
The Clean and Green Law,
Act 319, recently amended
by Act 725; House Bill 1778,
restricting foreign owner
ship, Senate Bill 756,
exempting ag co-ops from
certified audits; Senate Bill
276, setting up an agriculture
review board for any ag land
condemnation, and Senate
Bill 1011, reducing the
permit fee to $25 for an
ethanol still
Cook said he understood
the plight of the farmer He
said farmers begin to lose
political control when the
township begins to urbanize
“What brought the people to
the country are the things
they try to move out after
they elect their own
representatives to the local
government.”
Summing up the in
formation program, Amos
Funk, chairman of the
Lancaster County
Agricultural Preservation
Board, told what is being
done to save 278,000 acres of
farm land in that county.
“Land is an important
nonrenewable resource that
should be used wisely,”
Funk stated. “But, it won’t
be preserved unless the
farmers on the land want to
keep it that way. And right
now, I’m not sure many of
them do.”
Funk told the group that
nine townships in Lancaster
County have agricultural
districts. “The farmers go
along with the districts
because they feel the zoning
can always be changed—but
the deed restriction idea is
permanent.”
He added the deed
restriction plan is as
voluntary as it can be and
m
write MOWING KTTOI
still be effective. The far
mers are given the chance to
voice their opinions at pubhc
hearings before the township
adopts the deed restriction
policy.
Funk predicted that in 5 to
10 years the price of the farm
land in the preserve areas
will be sold for a higher price
than farm land outside of the
preserve. “The farms in the
preserve will be assured the
ability to farm.”
This argument disputes
the claims of many farmers.
Funk said, who feel the deed
restriction will lower the
value of their farm because
they won’t be able to sell it
for development.
With all of the information
and comments to digest, the
Lebanon County Planning
Commission has its work cut
out during the next six
months.
However, they are still
looking for ideas and
opinions from farmers in
their county, and Com
missioner Arnold said he
encouraged public input in
developmg the farm land
preservation program.
Chester offers 4-H leader orientation
WEST CHESTER - P-m. at the Dovmmgtowri available to Chester County
Adults mterested m helping Savings and Loan Bank, y • woul(i to
boys and girls, ages 8 to 19. Avenue in ***
develop their abihties are Downmgtown. , der V ou won’t want to
invited to attend an onen- The role of 4-H leaders will ’ meeting Reg^ter
tation meeting for new be discussed, along with an ca iimg Jan Renner at 215-
volunteer leaders to be held explanation of the various 4-
Monday, April 28 at 7:30 H activities and events
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