Agricultural Land Preservation
Agricultural Program Coordinator
Kelse Brown ext. 3325
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Agricultural Conservation Easement Overview
The Schuylkill County Agricultural Land Preservation Board oversees the Schuylkill County Farmland Preservation Agricultural Conservation Easement (ACE) Program through the staff of the Schuylkill County Conservation District Office. The Schuylkill County Farmland Preservation ACE Program is funded largely by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the County of Schuylkill, used to purchase agricultural conservation easements in perpetuity. Easements prevent the development of the land for any other purpose other than agricultural production. Permanently preserving large clusters of farms helps ensure the future of agriculture in Schuylkill County.
Landowners submit applications to the Schuylkill Conservation District office on a voluntary basis by December 31st of any given year. Applications must meet minimum criteria. Each year, after the deadline, all applications that meet the minimum criteria are scored and ranked according to the Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) ranking system. Points are awarded based on soil quality and site factors designed to evaluate development pressures, productivity of a farm, and the ability to create clusters of protected farmland. Applications are selected for the program based on the ranking order and the amount of available funding.
Funding for the Farmland Preservation ACE Program is typically allocated on a yearly basis. The State and County compensate landowners at the settlement of the agricultural conservation easement based on appraisal values and maximum payments per acre. The easements are legal documents restricting the land to agricultural production and are recorded at the Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds Office. The easements remain with the farm as the property changes ownership, and the terms must be attached to any future property deeds, thereby protecting the land in perpetuity. Inspections are conducted at least biennially to ensure compliance with the deed of easement.
Through the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, the Schuylkill Conservation District works with local farmers, Schuylkill County Commissioners, and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Farmland Preservation, to help preserve farmland in Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill Conservancy, WeConservePA, Berks Nature, or Wildlands Conservancy.
Additional information includes: the Program Guidelines, an application form, Agricultural Security Area Form, frequently asked questions, farmland preservation information brochure, and a sample deed of agricultural conservation easement. Please contact the Schuylkill County Conservation District Office at: Schuylkill County Conservation District, 1206 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 19701 or call (570) 622-3742 ext. 3325 if you have questions or would like printed copies of the materials.
Board Members
Keith Masser, Chairman
Kent Heffner, Vice Chairman
Stanley Fidler
Dr. Ronald Dietz
James Hepler
Glenn Hetherington
Bill Wehry
Russell Schnoke
John Halabura