The York County Agricultural Land Preservation Board invites residents of York County to consider the preservation of their farm through the York County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Certain program changes have occurred.
The changes include that applications must be postmarked or received no later than the deadline of Saturday, Feb. 15. In addition, a signed easement boundary map must be attached identifying the proposed easement application boundaries. Two application revisions are permitted resulting in a signed map received no later than the Feb. 15 deadline. Incomplete applications will be returned to the landowner. The conservation easement cap has been reduced to $3,000 per acre. All required documents must be attached to the application as indicated on the application.
Following qualification and ranking of all applications, the ranking scores and status will be posted in the Ag Land Preservation Office and on the York County Ag Land Preservation webpage. Copies of scores may be mailed to landowners upon request. Selections of farms for easement appraisal and preservation will continue until easement funds are exhausted or the next deadline date in February 2022 is reached.
Landowners may contact the office for an appointment to inquire about the program requirements, to have their farm qualified, or for a preliminary ranking run. Upon request, readers can receive the 2020 application packet by calling 717-840-7400. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Readers should note that the agency was slated to move to a new location at 2401 Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 101 York, on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. Readers are encouraged to hand-deliver applications this year due to the relocation. The office was slated to be open for business on Jan. 27.
For more details, readers may visit http://www.yorkcountypa.gov. The site contains program information, farm rankings, events, articles, and links. The preservation of farmland helps future generations to be assured that agricultural production will continue within their immediate community.
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