Agricultural Land Preservation
DONATE
LCCD can accept your donation or gifts of a financial or real property nature in line with our mission. LCCD is a political subdivision of state government (under subsection (2) Section 5. Creation of Conservation Districts, Conservation District Law, Act of May 15, 1945, Public Law 217, as Amended December 19, 1984, Act No. 2211.
Applications
Lebanon County Agricultural Land Preservation Program
brochures & references
Agricultural Conservation Easements - Key Points
Agricultural Land Preservation Brochure
Related Links
Agricultural Area Security Law
PA Department of Ag Agricultural Security
PA Farmland Preservation Association
Board Meeting Dates
The Lebanon County Ag Land Preservation Board will meet at 7:30 pm at the Lebanon Valley Ag Center, 2120 Cornwall Road, Lebanon, PA 17042 in the conference room on the following dates:
2022
January 20, 2022
March 17, 2022
May 19, 2022
July 21, 2022
September 15, 2022
November 17, 2022
2023
January 19, 2023
March 16, 2023
May 18, 2023
July 20, 2023
September 21, 2023
November 16, 2023
2024
January 18, 2024
March 21, 2024
May 16, 2024
July 18, 2024 CANCELLED
September 19, 2024
November 21, 2024
Maps
Through the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, the Conservation District works with local farmers, Lebanon County Commissioners, and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Farmland Preservation, to help preserve farmland in Lebanon County.
By voluntarily selling or donating agricultural conservation easements, the landowner prevents development of the land for purposes other than agricultural production, while retaining ownership.
Landowners who prefer a non-profit approach to preserving agricultural lands may contact the Lebanon Valley Conservancy.
Celebrating 20,526 Acres Preserved Over 32 Years in Lebanon County
Read more about 20,000 acre celebration here
Benefits of Agricultural Land Preservation
Protects land for future farm generations.
Maintains agriculture, which employs 2 out of every 5 people in Lebanon County.
Ensures farming is more affordable for future generations.
Assures that land is available to produce our food supply.
Keeps demand for public services lower, and taxes needed to support these services lower.
Encourages soil and water conservation.
Preserves farm culture.
Retains open space, aesthetics, and quality of life.
Qualifies eligible farms for potential tax incentives. Please check with your accountant.
Requirements for Lebanon County Ag. Land Preservation Program
The farmland tract must:
Be located in your municipality’s Agricultural Security Area.
Contain at least 50% of soils which are available for agricultural production and are of capability classes I-IV.
Contain 50% harvested cropland, pasture lands, or grazing lands.
Be at least 50 contiguous acres in size unless a minimum of 10 acres is of a unique crop or adjoining an attached perpetual agricultural conservation easement.
Agricultural Land Preservation Facts
Total Number of Easements: 184
Total Acres of Agricultural Land Preserved: 20,526 acres
Data by Municipality
Data current as of March 5, 2024
Note: Some farms cross municipal boundaries. Where this happens the easement is only counted once in the municipality with the most acreage.
*ACE = Agricultural Conservation Easement
Lebanon County Agricultural Land Preservation Appeal
2024 Municipal Pledges and Private Donations……$866,161.00
Thank You to the County Commissioners, local municipalities,
and individuals who have generously pledged/donated to the
Lebanon County Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
20,526 ACRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVED IN LEBANON COUNTY