Agricultural Land Preservation Board

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The creation of the Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Board in August 1989 signified the County’s full-scale commitment to Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation program. The Centre County Commissioners appointed nine members to the Board in accordance with the provisions contained within Agricultural Area Security Law, PA Act 43 as amended. Since that time, the Commissioners have continued to support the program by providing staff support and matching funds for the purchase of agricultural land conservation easements. To date, the county’s agricultural land preservation program has preserved 59 farm parcels in seven townships—bringing its total acreage for preserved farms to 8,785 acres.

Goals and Objectives

  • Administer a program for purchasing agricultural conservation easements in accordance with Act 43 of 1981 as amended and 7 Pa Code 138.
  • Preserve the prime agricultural soils of Centre County by purchasing, in the name of the County, or jointly with a Local Government Unit and/or the Commonwealth, agricultural conservation easements within Agricultural Security Areas.
  • Promote efforts to support the agricultural community in Centre County by helping landowners steward their farms, adhere to the requirements of their easements, and plan for transitions in their farming operations.
  • Encourage the use of additional farmland preservation techniques through public and private organizations in Centre County.

Meeting Schedule

The Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Board typically meets at 7:30 pm the fourth Thursday of the month, except when otherwise noted. 

The next scheduled meeting of the board will take place at 7:30 pm Thursday, November 16, 2023. The board will review a residential subdivision proposal and approve its 2024 meeting schedule. 
 
For more information, please contact Diana Griffith, Planner - Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation, at dlgriffith@centrecountypa.gov, or (814) 355-6791.

Agenda

View Meeting Schedule
View Meeting Agendas & Minutes

2022 PACE Program Annual Report

Membership

The nine members appointed by the Board of Commissioners include four farmers, one township supervisor or borough council member, one commercial, industrial or residential building contractor, and three other members. The Commissioners appoint the Board's chair to serve a one-year term. From the membership, the Board annually elects its vice chair, secretary and treasurer at the January organizational meeting. 

Term Length

3 Years

Current Members

MembersMember CategoryTerm Expires
Joseph HomanOtherAugust 31, 2025
Thomas E. Boldin, ChairFarmerAugust 31, 2025
Joel MyersFarmerAugust 31, 2025
Ronald J. Hoover, SecretaryFarmerAugust 31, 2024
Ralph Wheland, TreasurerOtherAugust 31, 2026
James HeckmanMunicipal OfficialAugust 31, 2026
Lamartine HoodOtherAugust 31, 2026
Thomas F. Songer, III, Vice ChairContractorAugust 31, 2024
Cindy B. HardingFarmerAugust 31, 2024
Centre County Commissioners, Vice Chair Amber ConcepcionEx Officio