PFA unveils American Farmland Trust CAMP HILL The Penn sylvania Farmers’ Association announced Thursday the inauguration of a joint project with the American Farmland Trust which will provide farmers with an innovative, private-sector ap proach to preserving valuable agricultural land. Richard Newpher, ad ministrative-secretary of PFA, said, “Farmland preservation is a longstanding policy objective of our organization. American Farmland Trust is a nationwide organization which shares our concern for keeping farmland in production. Together with AFT, we’ll be able to offer a new private use tool, in addition to those already publicly available, which will help our members maintain their family farm tradition. “Under a cooperative arrangement, PFA and AFT will offer technical assistance to PFA’s 23,000-plus farm family members rpamt *a«w» Both 4WD and 2WD models are pow ered by the highly fuel efficient 4 cyl inder 254 cu. in. SAME air-cooled en gine that has excellent lugging power and long service life. All SAME tractors are backed by a 2 yr./unlimited hours limited warranty. Available with or without cab. SOME MERCURYBS 2WD Has all the features of the 4WD model except for drive to front wheels. All other transmission and drive train parts are identical to those built to take extra stress and strain required by 4WD. Ask your SAME dealer for full details on the Mercury or any of the full line of SAME 4WD and 2WD tractors, or contact us for literature and dealer's name. SftL S & L Tractors of North America. Inc. P.0.80x 6865 Bridgewater. N.J. 08807 (201)560-9350 who wish to protect their land through private conservancy techniques. PFA is a voluntary, general farm group. AFT is a nonprofit organization qualified to accept tax-deductible con tributions of farmland or farmland interests in accordance with ap plicable federal, state and local tax laws. Newpher said, “We believe Pennsylvania’s farmland is its most valuable natural resource. As stewards of that fertile soil and nourishing water supply, Penn sylvania farmers produced crops and raised livestock valued at more than $3 billion last year. Indeed, agriculture and its related agri-businesses compose Penn sylvania’s number one industry. Pennsylvania is the leading farm state in the northeast and, within our borders, agriculture is directly or indirectly responsible for one out of every five jobs. “However, Newpher continued. SME MERCURY 85 EYED Dealer Inquiries Invited Contact: Floyd Burleigh Regional Mgr. R D #2 Factoryville, Pa. 18419 717/945-3810 “the last agricultural census showed our state lot 1.3 million acres of farmland to non agricultural uses during the previous decade. Since the turn of the century, about one-half of Pennsylvania’s farmland has gone out of food production and it’s been forecast that we could lose one fifth of our remaining farmland by the year 2,000 unless steps are taken to help farmers stay in farming. During the same period, USDA predicts demand for U.S. farm products will increase by 55 to 80 per cent. These are reasons why our association has been a strong advocate of the need for a variety of farmland preservation options, both public and private.” PFA was the first major farm organization in the state to recommend public policy for the purchase of farmland development rights as a means to preserve agricultural land. PFA voting delegates', representing farmers in The 78 h.p. air-cooled direct-injection Diesel Tractors that offer all these advanced features as standard: sfc Hydrostatically operated wet disc brakes jfj Hydrostatic power steering Fully synchronized transmission 12 speeds forward, 12 reverse Differential lock standard 540 and 1000 r.p.m. independent PTO Simplified hydraulic system Cat II 3 pt. hitch with 8150 lb. lift capacity Center-recessed direct-drive shaft to front wheels on 4WD model % Platform design with suspended pedals. GO AHEAD ""'ME Lancaster Firming, Saturday, February 13,1982-127 61 counties, adopted this bold policy recommendation at their 1975 annual meeting. Over the years this policy has been fine tuned but voting delegates have always reconfirmed the basis recommendations. PFA’s policy calls for a com prehensive land use plan to be established in the Commonwealth which would enable state and local governments to purchase development rights from farmers in return for them restricting their land to agricultural or open space use. Newpher said, “The solution we’re recommending is not painless. It will require the public’s support and money, but when you consider the alternative fewer acres of cropland, more susceptibility to bad weather, higher food prices we think it’s worth the cost and we believe the public agrees. A survey conducted by the State Planning Board last year showed farmland preser vation was one of the top two priorities for community planning decisions and, among en vironmental issues concerning the public, farmland preservation received top priority.” “In the meantime,” Newpher said, “PFA has in the past and will continue in the future to support an array of public measures which improve chances for farmland preservation.” A chronological review of measures PFA has supported is as follows: Act 515 of 1966 enables Penn sylvania counties to convenant with landowners to preserve land in farm, forest, water supply or open space by taxing land ac cording to its use rather than market value. This voluntary program requires minimum acreage enrollment that will remain in the designated land use for a 10-year period. The law, which was a forerunner of the “Clean and Green” amendment, contains provisions for extension of the convenant agreement and penalties for its violation. Act 284 of 1968 authorizes local zoning for the protection and (Turn to Page A 32)
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