Farmland preservation (Continued from Page All) 1982, as a joint venture involving the PFA and AFT. Wheeler noted that a number of successful methods of preserving farmland are currently in use elsewhere, with the most effective method being the purchase of development rights, tPDR). Implemented in a number of northeastern and middle atlantic states, the program involves removing development potential by restricting land use to agriculture. In the form of an easement, the government pur chases the right to insure agricultural use of the farmer’s land. When the land is sold, the selling farmer is compensated in an amount equal to the difference between fair market value and the agricultural value of his real estate. The meeting continued with Maryland gram and beef farmer Wayne McGinnis’ presentration of his state’s successful preservation program based on PDR. Maryland’s program is based on OPEN housf YOU'RE INVITED... MONDAY. MARCH 26 thru Monday - Friday 7:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Refreshments Rules to qualify for ree (1) Must be between the age jfSToTI (2) Must reside on a farm or be actively enrolled in a 4-H or FFA project (3) Must be accompanied by an adult to verify project. DRAWING SATURDAY. MARCH 31 at 2:00 P.M. WINNER NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN No Purchase Necessary To Register PLANTER Service Clinic Wed., March 28 - 1:30 P.M. Presented by Trained John Deere Factory Personnel ready to answer your questions. 15% ALL JOHN DEERE V?_;° PAINTS P InStock EVERGREEN TRACTOR CO.,INC.q 30 Evergreen Road Lebanon, PA 17042 717-272-4641 the allocation of real estate transfer tax revenues to an Agricultural Land Pieservation Fund used for the purchase of development rights. Participating farmers must enter at least 100 acres to qualify, whereupon the landowner is of fered an easement value based on the assessments of two appraisers. The farmer has 30 days to accept or reject the offer, and all those accepting are bound to a five-year contract. Initiated in 1977, Maryland’s PDR program accounted for 14,859 acres during its first year. PFA president Keith Eckel began his presentation by providing more statistics pointing to the alarming disappearance of farmland statewide. With agriculture responsible for the employment of one out of five Pennsylvanians, Eckel said, we can no longer permit the current trend to continue unchecked. Eckel warned that water shortages and high transportation costs will render western YOUTH REGISTER TO WIN A CLUB HEIFER CALF It's dm To Think Sprinqf agricultural products prohibitively expensive, increasing the urgency ul eastern land pi eservation While wo die appreualive of past prugiess, we must lake a new and bold approacti to preser vation, Eckel said The PFA endoises the concept of the pur chase of development rights," he continued, “and we suggest that the Maryland program is con sistent with the policies of the PFA.” Addressing the subject of fun ding, Eckel pointed to a number of possibilities including a transfer tax, bond issues, or an income tax, and recommended that all citizens should bear the burden since all will benefit. After listening to the three speakers, Agriculture Secretary Penrose Hallowell endorsed the concept of PDR, emphasizing that such a system should be voluntary, provide for local control, and provide just compensation for landowners. Though the program will cer tainly have a pncetag, Hallowed urged citizens to recognize far mland preservation as an in vestment in the future. SATURDAY, MARCH 31 Saturday - 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. :istration: Service Offer IAO/ PLANTER & GRAIN ■JSf /° DRILL PARTS On Orders Over $lOO.OO Yellow Tag Specials T, °^ <’S- y Schedule service work on your planter and choose either a folding wood rule or a torpedo level. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 24,1984-A25 IT’S MAGIC , PHONE How quickly 717-394-3047 You Get Results or 717-626-1164 V From Our ) i—mm—mt V. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers