News Detail

Franklin County Commissioners Approve Purchase To Preserve 20,000th Acre Of Farmland

Planning

May 12, 2025

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – With the recent purchase of a 114-acre agricultural easement in Peters Township, Franklin County has now preserved over 20,000 acres of farmland from future development. 

The farm, owned by Daniel and Amy Hershberger, was purchased for $284,450 through county’s Agricultural Land Preservation fund. The Hershberger easement is the 164th farm to be preserved since Franklin County joined Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program in 1990. 

“Preserving 20,000 acres of farmland is a great milestone for our county. As commissioners, we are happy to accomplish this goal, and we look forward to reaching the next milestone,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “Being an agriculturally based community, it’s important that we protect as much of our farmland and natural resources as possible for future generations to enjoy.” 

The commissioners, the county’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board and other local and state leaders will celebrate this significant milestone later this year. 

Franklin County is one of 58 counties that participate in the statewide agricultural conservation program. Pennsylvania leads the U.S. in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production. Since 1988, Pennsylvania has invested nearly $1.76 billion in farmland preservation; to date, over 6,500 farms and more than 652,000 acres of Pennsylvania farmland have been protected. Franklin County ranks 10th out of 67 counties in total acres preserved. 

Through the program, the state, county and local governments can purchase conservation easements from farmers to slow the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses. Landowners apply to the county to participate in the Easement Purchase Program. Applications are ranked based on specific factors such as quality of soil, potential for agricultural productivity and historic value. Once a farm is approved by the county’s ag board, it is then forwarded on to the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board for approval. 

Participating counties receive state funds to help make these purchases, and most counties contribute matching dollars to amplify their buying power. Since 1990, Franklin County and the commonwealth have combined to invest more than $43.9 million to preserve 164 area farms and over 20,000 acres of farmland. Another 851 acres – nine farms – will go before the state board for consideration in 2025. Currently, approximately 1,300 acres of Franklin County farmland are being processed for consideration and another 61 farms are on the waiting list to join the program. 

For a farm to be eligible for the preservation program, the farm must be at least 35 acres and be a part of an established Agricultural Security Area within the farm’s township. The farm must also have an active conservation plan in place. 

For more information on the Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov or contact the Franklin County Planning Department at 717-261-3855 or planning@franklincountypa.gov.