The Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Board is pleased to announce the 2024 Application Cycle for the Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
Landowner Applications will be accepted until Monday, September 30, 2024, for consideration in 2025.If mailed, must be postmarked by September 30, 2024.
Agricultural Land Preservation Program
Program Overview The Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, also known as the farmland preservation program, purchases agricultural easements on productive farms in Washington County. Landowners retain private ownership of the property and may still use, lease, or sell the property. Any new owner shall abide by the terms of the easement which limits subdivision, non-agricultural development, and other uses inconsistent with commercial agriculture.
Monthly Board Meetings Third Tuesday of every month at 9:30 am, except as noted below. Location: Washington County Conservation District, 50 Old Hickory Ridge Road, Washington, PA 15301
January 16
February 20
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16 - CANCELLED
August 6, 10:30 am
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
Program Status (June 2024): Washington County has preserved 50 farms and over 7,549 acres of land! Statewide, there are 6,392 preserved farms in 58 participating counties: 639,254 acres in total.
How to Apply Landowners interested in applying to the Washington County Farmland Preservation Program need to submit an application prior to the September 30 deadline. Landowners are strongly encouraged to consult with legal and tax counselors to understand the restrictions that would be placed on your farm deed as well as the tax implications of easement income. Applications are accepted on a yearly basis and landowners must meet the following requirements to apply to the farmland preservation program:
Contain at least 50 % of soils, which are available for agricultural production and are of Land Capability Classes I-IV, as defined by the Soil Survey published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Contain the greater of 50% or 10 (ten) acres of harvested cropland, pasture or grazing lands.
Landowners must exhibit good land stewardship including but not limited to the use of conservation & best land management practices such as soil, sedimentation control and nutrient management. Land idled because of government programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program will not qualify as part of the cropland “in current use” under Section 5.1 (c).
The entire parcel as identified on the county assessment maps must be submitted for easement. The landowner may exclude up to, but no more than, five (5) acres from the ACE to provide for future home sites. This is a one-time only exclusion. No other subdivisions will be permitted other than what is allowed under Section X- Subdivisions of the Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Board's Policies and Bylaws.
Contiguous acres of at least 50 acres in size, unless:
Contiguous acres of at least 10 acres in size and adjacent to farmland permanently protected with a conservation easement.
Contiguous acres of at least 10 acres in size and utilized for a crop unique to the area.
