r F A R MANAGEMENT FARMLAND PRESERVATION UPDATE Alan W. Strode Multicounty Farm Management Agent About 82 percent of southcent ral Pennsylvanians believe farm land preservation should be given a higher priority in the 19905, according to a recently completed public opinion survey conducted by Penn Stated College of Agri cultural Sciences. Citizen concern about the loss of agricultural land continues to grow as businesses, beltways, residen tial developments, and shopping malls invade rural areas. The survey, conducted by Dr. Stanford Lembeck, associate pro fessor of rural sociology with fel low Penn State rural sociologists Dr. Donald Crider and Dr. Pem Willits, analyzed responses from more than 3,600 Pennsylvanians. TRUCKLOAD FAN SALE i-hani Hired-Hand’s Econo Flow Line of powerful, efficient and economical fans brings a new standard to the Poultry Industry. FEATURES Energy Efficient Motor pyf Galvanized Venturi “ Frame and Blade pr7|' Optional PVC UJ Shutters Call For Low Prices On These High Quality Fansl WE SHIP UPS 410 E. LINCOLN AVE They found broad support across the state for farmland pre servation. The greatest support came from the capital region, the seven-county area surrounding Harrisburg, that includes Lancas ter County and also much of the state’s most fertile agricultural land. Between 1982 and 1987,4,000 Pennsylvania farms were lost, along with 431,000 acres of farm land, according to the 1987 U.S. Census of Agriculture. Also between 1982 and 1987, Lancaster County lost 216 farms and 13,332 acres of farmland. The 1980’s concern over com mercial and residential develop ment and suburban sprawl prompted the passage of state legislation designed to encourage farmers to keep land in agricultural production. On November 3,1987,-by pass ing a statewide referendum, Pen nsylvania residents established a 1 ECONO FLOW Swine & Poultry Systems Specialists FARMER BOY AG. Lost Farmland vtvrr'' Heavy Duty Direct-Drive Fans for Poultry and Agricultural Confinement Buildings ALUMINUM shutters Other Styles And Tf Sizes Available PH. 717-866-7565 $lOO million bond issue “for the purchase of agricultural conserva ,tion casements for the preservation of farmland.” This program has greatly increased Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation efforts. Agricultural conservation ease ments resemble more commonly known “development rights.” Conservatidn Easement Purchase Program Twenty-eight of the 67 counties have boards that have set up priori tized local needs and wants that conform with state guidelines to purchase easement rights within the framework of state law. Lancaster and Chester counties have received $8.4 million and $8.5 million, respectively, from the state bond fund. Counties have also contributed to the cost of loc ally approved programs. Lancaster and Chester counties have contributed a little more than $3 million and $3.6 million, respectively, to purchase ease ments since 1988. Through the easement purchase program in Lancaster County alone, Lancaster County and the Pennsylvania have - purchased easements from 38 farms covering roughly 3,500 acres. Lancaster County alone has acquired ease ments through purchase or gift of 45 farms covering about 3,200 acres. Permanent Funding Beginning in July of 1993, the With Cord Set 36* Direct Drive Call Today For Your Ventilation Requirements INC. MYERSTOWN.PA 17067 Conservation Easement Purchase program will be permanently funded by a $.02 per pack tax on cigarettes. Present projections indicate this would yield approximately 15-20 million dollars per year. The farmland preservation program is entirely voluntary. No force is placed on fanners to sell their conservation easements. If an easement is purchased, restrictions are placed on the deed that allow only agriculture uses. The fanner’s land must be in an agriculture security area to qualify for the easement purchase program. The conservation easement val ue is determined by subtracting the appraised agricultural value from the appraised fair market value of the property. That means a farm with a conservation easement worth $400,000 could be pre served as farmland forever for $400,000 or less. Actual purchase price may be any value up to 100 percent of the appraised easement value. The process of establishing guidelines for most counties was a Hours; M-F 7:00-5:00; SiL 7:30-11:30 Check Our Warehouse Prices Uncwtw Panting, Saturday, May >23,1M2-C3 Restricted Uses Not An Easy Decision CONTACT US For • DOUBLE CHAIN PIT ELEVATORS HYD. TILT AVAILABLE • COMPACT ROTO BEATERS • WISCONSIN & ALLIS CHALMER POWER UNITS • HAND-O-MATIC BULK FEEDERS • COMBINATION MOWER AND CRIMPER UNITS • 455 AND 456 MOWERS • NEW IDEA CRUSHERS • LARGE SHOP LATHE 40 TON PUNCH PRESS • CRIMPING ROLLS TO FIT TOUR NEW IDEA CRUSHER SMUCKER WELDING & MANUFACTURING 2110 Rockvala Road, Lane., PA 17602 ion lengthy process. Likewise, an individual far mer's decision to enter the prog ram should not be taken lightly. A farmer must compare current and potential income, expenses and taxes all in light of their tong-term financial plan. The deci sion should be based on a very careful consideration of personal and family goals. Farmers must consider estate planning objectives and real estate and income tax consequences, along with numerous other person al factors. The issues involved in farmland preservation are extremely com plex. However, local officials will have to determine the tax impact of less development in their bounda ries. The purchase of conservation easements are costly and include complex procedures and ideas. Support For Farmland Preservation Although statewide support for farmland preservation is strong, those who give it a high priority are also more likely to think livestock fanning and pesticide and fertilizer usage should be restricted near residential areas. Nearly one-third of respondents (Turn to Paga C 4)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers