Susquehanna County Conservation District
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The Susquehanna County Agricultural Land Preservation Easement Purchase Program is now administered by Susquehanna County.
For more information, please call the Susquehanna County Courthouse at (570) 278-4600
 
or the
Pennsylvania Department of Agricultural
 Land Preservation at (717) 705-7796.
As of 2023, Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in farmland preservation with a significant number of preserved acres. The state’s Farmland Preservation Program, launched in 1988, has protected a total of 6,266 farms, equating to about 628,967 acres across 58 counties. This initiative aims to prevent the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses by purchasing development rights. Over the program's lifetime, Pennsylvania has invested nearly $1.68 billion into these conservation efforts, funded jointly by state, county, and sometimes local governments and nonprofits. These investments support local food security, economic stability, and green spaces, affirming Pennsylvania’s commitment to its agricultural future. 
 
The State Agricultural Land Preservation Board has established minimum requirements which farms must meet to be eligible for the easement purchase program. The farmland tract must:
  1. be located in an Agricultural Security Area
  2. be contiguous acreage of at least 50 acres
  3. contain at least 50% soils of a capability class I-IV as defined by USDA-NRCS
  4. have at least 50% of the property’s total acreage in current use as harvested cropland (excluding timber harvest), pasture, or grazing land.
  5. must be part of a normal farming operation generating farm income.
The application period runs from November 15th through January 15th each year. Applications are ranked according to soil quality, development potential, and farmland potential and clustering potential. The highest-ranking farm is considered for purchase first. The farm is then appraised to determine the easement value, which is the difference between actual value and agricultural value.


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Your donation makes a lasting impact! By supporting environmental education, you help fund vital programs like Envirothon, Eco-Explorer Day Camp, Community Outreach Events, and hands-on experiences for Scouting and Homeschooling groups. These programs help inspire the next generation to care for our natural world, build leadership skills, and foster a deeper connection to the environment. Every contribution helps us reach more students, families, and landowners across Susquehanna County, cultivating each, to become better stewards of our planet.
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    Down to Earth 
    A Newsletter Provided by Susquehanna County Conservation District

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Contact Us!


Hours

M-F: 8am - 4:00pm

Telephone

570-782-2105

Email

[email protected]

Social


Address

89 Industrial Dr. Montrose, PA 18801
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  • Home
    • Board Meeting Minutes & Agendas >
      • 2021 Agendas & Minutes
      • 2022 Agendas & Minutes
      • 2023 Agendas & Minutes
      • 2024 Agendas & Minutes
      • 2025 Agendas & Minutes
    • About
    • Directors
    • Staff
    • Contact us
  • Permits & Resources
    • Permit Resources
    • Ponds, Lakes, and Streams
    • Stormwater Management
    • Contractor List
  • Programs
    • 102 Program
    • 105 Program
    • Agriculture >
      • ACAP
      • Ag E&S
      • Agricultural Land Preservation
      • Chesapeake Bay Program
      • Manure Management
      • Nutrient Management
      • SCCD Projects >
        • Aldrich Project
        • Burdick Creek
    • Dirt, Gravel, & Low Volume Road Program >
      • Mud Clips
      • QAB
    • Education
    • No-Till Program
    • Watershed Stewardship >
      • Riparian Buffer Grant
  • Calendar
  • Annual Report
  • Conservation Corner
  • Day Camp Registration
  • Down to Earth Newsletter
  • Envirothon
    • Envirothon Practice
  • Grants
  • Partners in Conservation
  • Summer intern
  • Who Ya Gonna Call?
  • Events