Agricultural Land Preservation Board

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.