Farming, Saturday, April 29, 1995
Dropoff Locations For Clean And Green Applications Set
NEW HOLLAND (Lancaster Co.) To help Lancaster County fanners facilitate
sign-up under Clean and Green (Act 319) in this year of court-ordered reassessment, one
of several dropoff meetings is scheduled at the farm of Eugene Martin on Tuesday, May 9
from 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Martin, who maintains 90 acres next to the Summit Valley School at 224 Eastern
School Road, is working with the Earl Township Farmland Preservation Trust to set up a
series of meetings, including one at the Martin Farm and two other locations, for sign-up.
The plan is to allow farmers to fill out the Clean and Green registration forms and have
them notarized at the site. If requested, the forms can then be hand-delivered to the county
courthouse.
“What we’re doing here is to make it more convenient for the farmers,” said Martin
during a recent interview at his farm. Martin, who finishes 70 head of beef cattle per year,
has decided to sign up his farm under the “ag-use” segment of the Clean and Green
application form (an example of the form is reproduced this issue).
While this is a busy time of year for farmers, with planting season well under way, the
Trust realizes it is a short timeframe. The application deadline is June 1.
“We realize it’s going to be a short timeframe. It will be busy, so (to speed up the pro
cess) we’re going to have notary service available on those given dates,” said Martin.
Those who sign up under Clean and Green must have the people whose names that are
listed in the deed, including all partnerships, present at time of notarization.
The meeting is open to residents from all portions of the county. Personnel from the
Farmland Trust and other organizations will be on hand at the Martin Farm on May 9 to
answer questions and help with the form-filling process.
The Trust will have transportation available. Call (717) 354-2272 or 354-8263 for
transportation.
Martin indicated that much has to be worked out regarding how to implement the
Clean and Green Law with the farmers. The Clean and Green La w value itself depends on
the amount of farmers who sign up.
What is certain is that taxes will go up. in some cases substantially, for some farmers
even if they sign up for Clean and Green. Depending on the individual farm, if they don’t
sign up for Clean and Green and opt for “fair market value” on their property, farmers
will be facing a near-catastrophic increase—reports by as much as two to three times the
amount.
An example of the form is included in this issue of Lancaster Farming. The reverse of
the form needs to be notarized, which the Trust will provide free of charge at the dropoff
meetings.
According to some estimates, a farmer in the eastern part of the county with Class 1
soils could see their taxes increase by as much as $6,000 under fair maiket value. Under
Clean and Green, depending on the farm, taxes could remain the same or actually become
lower.
Some reports indicate that only half of the farmers intend to sign up for the program as
of presstime. This could have a major impact on individual taxes due in spring of next
year for many farmers.
Martin indicated that, under Clean and Green, ag-use value of land in Lancaster Coun
ty is eyed at approximately $1,200 per acre. Fair market value puts land per acre at about
$5,000 in Lancaster County.
Farmers could face thousands of more dollars in taxes unless they sign up for Clean
and Green. Martin said farmers should sign up under the ‘ ‘ag use’ ’ segment of Clean and
Green.
What will hurt the farmers most, according to Martin, is the fact that, even under Clean
and Green, the first acre of a farm will be assessed at anywhere between
$40,000-$45,000, which makes up a great deal of the increase. Also, new construction'
may contribute to increased taxes, and large buildings that are sitting with no use could
prove financially burdensome in terms of taxation.
Martin said that much needs to be worked out “We’re not going to know what it’s
going to be yet, even when the reassessment comes out What they are going to do is
they’re going to estimate a millage, and then they’re going to see how many farmers sign
up for Clean and Green and how many stay at fair market value. ’ * The base millage will
depend on how many farmers sign up for Clean and Green.
“We have to get on the ball and do something to help these people,’’ said Martin.
A dropoff meeting is scheduled at the farm of Eugene Martin on May 9. Martin, who
maintains 90 acres next to the Summit Valley School at 224 Eastern School Road, is
working with the Earl Township Farmland Preservation Trust to set up a series of
meetings, including one at the Martin Farm and two other locations. The plan Is to
allow farmers to fill out the Clean and Green registration forms and have them notar
ized at the farm.
Call For Exhibitors List
PHILADELPHIA—CaII today
for an exhibitors list for the Pen
nsylvania Fair at Philadelphia
Park.
Special classes have been estab
lished for entries in beef, sheep,
and goats at the 1995 fair. The
Junior Beef Show will be held on
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Farming Staff
Monday, May 22, at 5 p.m. Entries
must arrive on Sunday, May 21
between noon and 5 p.m. Entry fee
is $5 per head.
Breeds eligible are Angus.
Polled Herefords, and Simmental.
Seven classes will be shown for
each breed, and prizes will be paid
Farmers could face thousands of more dollars in taxes unless they sign
up for Clean and Green. Martin said farmers should sign up under the “ag
use” segment of the law. Here is an example of the Clean and Green appli
cation form.
Many fanners don’t realize what it will cost them. Early reports indicated that a third of
the fanners will see their taxes increase, a third will see them stay the same, and a third
will see them drop.
Martin, who has his own farm in preservation with the Trust, indicated that the reas
sessment takes into account only the land and building size and not what is in the build
ings. Equipment and livestock will not be taxed.
There is a $4O filing fee to accompany the sign-up. Sign-up dates and locations ate:
• Eugene Martin Farm, May 9. from 12:30 p.m.-9p.m. The farm is located at 224 East
ern School Road, near the Summit Valley Elementary School south of New Holland
between Kinzer Road and New Holland Road. Martin’s phone number is (717)
354-8263.
• Martindale Fire Hall, May 10, from 12:30 p.m.-9p:m. The fire hall is located at Lan
caster Avenue near Hurst RtL, Martindale. Call (717) 354-2272 for more information.
• Amos Huyard, May 11, from 12:30p.m.-9p.m.Huyardislocatedat469N.Railroad
Ave., New Holland. Call (717) 354-2272 for more information.
in five places.
Top prize is $5O. In the market
steer class, there are four classes,
with the same premium monies as
in the heifer classes. Prize money
and ribbons are also awarded for
the fitting and showmanship con
tests. Champions in the show
LANCASTER COUNTY APPLICATION FOR ACT 319 <CLEAN AND GREEN)
USE VALUE ASSESSMENT OP LAND
Application is hcrcb> made for preferential assessment of land under the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act
of 1974 (72 P S Sections 5490 1 • 5490.13) for the tax year beginning 19 76 . 'PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT*
;al owncrshij
2 Location of Properly
Road/Street
Township/Borough
Parcels 10 be considered: Map Nos. .
Check box for predominate use. Agricultural Use Agricultural Reserve □ Forest Resen c D
a) Is this parcel 10 contiguous acres or more in size? Yes No □
b) Does this application represent the total acres in the parcel? Yes C No □
c) If this parcel is less than 10 acres, can you verify that the land is now devoted to Agricultural Use and that the land will
be used to generate $2,000 annual gross income? N/A I' Yes □ No □
d) If this parcel has open tillable land, is it now devoted to Agricultural Use. and has it been so for the preceding
three yean? N/A f Yes □ No □
c) If this parcel has Forefct Lind, is the land stocked with trees of an) list, and is it capable of producing wood products in
excess of 25 cubic feet per sere each year? N/A 1' Yes □ No □
0 Do you or anyone else currently conduct any non-tfricultural commercial business on this land parcel’ Yes £
If the answer is yes. list or describe those activities here;
g) If this parcel is found not eligible under Agricultural Use or Forest Reserve, do you want it considered under Agricultural
Reserve Lrod, when you understand that this category requires that the land be non •commercial, open to the public for
recreation, at no charge or fee. and with no discrimination against any person using the land’ Yes □ No p
If your answer Is yes to *g.* do you agree to these stated conditions? N/A TZ Yes D No □
h) Do you understand that If this application is approved, it will remain in effect continuously until the land owner changes
its Agricultural Use from the approved category? At that time a roll-bactc tax, plus interest, must be paid for a period
not to exceed seven (7) years. Yes C No □
6 Have the mineral rights previously been sold or leased? Yes □ No C
Completed applications for enrolling in Act 319 must be received in the Lancaster County Assessment Office on or before June 1
to be considered for tax assessment under the Act for the next year.
I/we hereby accept the provisions of the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act of 1974. Act 319. and agree to
be bound by the provisions set therein. / The applicant, approved for preferential assessment, agrees to provide 30 days notice to
the County Assessor of any proposed change in land use. spin-off or conveyance of the land / The undesigned declares this
application and accompanying schedules and statements have been examined and by best knowledge and belief is true and correct
Signal*re(s) of owners or
ration name Dale
Signature(s) of owners or corporation name Date
Accepted Into program aa: Agricultural Uac
Agreement M Date
u APWCAfm CaNN6T BE aCCEHTBVNLESS MfMW> m the tZVEliSimr
NOTE ASSESSED VALUES ARE NOT FIXED BY THIS APPLICATION AND MAY VARY FROM TIME TO TIME
Clean And Green
Sign-Up Dates Set
NEW HOLLAND (Lancaster
Co.) Farmers who want to sign
up for Clean and Green can attend
the following dropoff meetings:
• Eugene Martin Farm, May 9,
from 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m. The farm is
located at 224 Eastern School
Road, near the Summit Valley
Elementary School south of New
Holland between Kinzer Road and
New Holland Road. Martin’s
phone number is (717) 354-8263.
• Martindale Fire Hall, May 10,
from 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m. The fire
hall is located at Lancaster Avenue
near Hurst Rd.. Martindale. Call
(717) 354-2272 for more
information.
received director’s chairs.
The open class sheep show will
be held on Wednesday, May 24 at
4 p.m. The sheep must arrive on
Tuesday before 4:30 p.m. and may
depart on Wednesday following
the show. The youth show is on
Thursday, May 25 at 5 p.m. and
they may depart at 9 p.m.
In both sheep shows, the fol
Middle Initial
Middle Initial
Middle Initial
Marling address (to where tax notices are mailed)
Street. R£> or Box #
City. State. Zip
SignatureU) of owners or corporation name Dale
Signature(s) of owners or corporation name Date
Forest Resent
Rate
Agricultural Rcacnc
Recorded i
• Amos Huyard, May 11, from
12:30 p.m.-9 p,m. Huyard is
located at 469 N. Railroad Ave.,
New Holland. Call (717) 354-2272
for more information.
Also, educational meetings
regarding Clean and Green have
also been scheduled. They are:
• May 3, Martindale Fire Com
pany, Martindale, 7:30 p.m.
• May 10, Hoffman Building,
Solanco Fairgrounds, Quarryville,
7:30 p.m.
• May 10, Ken Zurin Farm.
Mount Joy, 6 p.m. Call (717)
898-6213 for more information.
• May 15, Farm and Home Cen
ter, Lancaster, 7:30 p.m.
lowing breeds are being shown:
Cheviot, Dorset, Hampshire,
Shropshire, Southdown, Suffolk,
and Oxford. Prizes awarded are
$2O for first place, paying fi ve
monies. Champions in the show
receive blankets. Entry fee in $3.
The Youth Open Goat Show
will be Saturday, May 20 at 1:30
(Turn to Pago ASS)
Phone #
Phone *
Phone #
Acres
No Q