Pennsylvania protecting farmland in Lawrence county

Lawrence County will be among the 13 counties to benefit from Pennsylvania choosing to invest $10.2 million in protecting its farmland from developers who would like to use the land for non-agricultural purposes. 

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the investment outlines purchasing development rights.

By purchasing the development rights, it is ensured that the farmland can continue to support families, communities and the jobs created from the land.

"Saving farmland for producing food, rather than losing it to warehouses and sprawl is an investment we can't afford not to make," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in the release.

The act of purchasing the development rights for the purpose of protecting the land is classified as an "easement purchase".

Lawrence County will receive a total investment of $273,909 with $225,269 going towards state government and $48,640 going to county government. 

The farms protected in this easement purchase include:

• Lance J. and Megan E. Nimmo #4, a 91-acre crop farm in Scott Township.
• William and Carol Heinz Family Trust, a 103-acre crop farm in Wilmington Township.

As of 2020, a report on the American Farmland Trust website stated,". . . [30] states have authorized programs and 29 have funded easement acquisitions... Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Massachusetts lead the nation in easements acquired...".

This is further supported by Pennsylvania having the highest total of easements in January 2024 with 6,315 total easement purchases, the highest total from a publication from the Farmland Information Center. 

A farm is chosen for an easement purchase through three listed qualities according to the "Easement Purchase" information on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's website.

1. Quality of Farmland
   • Farms must be a minimum of 50 acres in size to qualify, or 35 acres if the county allows farms of that size to qualify in the program. Farmland of 10 acres may also be considered if adjacent to preserved land or used to produce crops unique to the area.
   • At least half of the plot must be harvested crop land, pasture or grazing land.
   • The land must contain 50% soil capability. 
2. Stewardship
   
   • Farms are graded based on the use of conservation practices and management techniques regarding nutrients and control of soil erosion.
3. Likelihood of Conversion
   • The offer of easement sales for counties are based on numerous factors including the proximity of the farm to sewer and water lines, the extent and type of non-agricultural uses nearby, the amount and type of agricultural use nearby and the amount of other preserved farmland in close proximity.