How Lancaster County, PA Preserved 100,000 Acres of Farmland

In October 2013, Lancaster County, PA became the first and only county in the United States to reach 100,000 acres of preserved

farmland. The County has more than 500,000 people, but is also the leading agricultural county in the Northeast with more than

$1 billion a year in farm output. This paper explains the planning and funding approaches that led to the large landscape preservation.

The planning features comprehensive plans, urban growth boundaries, agricultural zoning, and the purchase and transfer of

development rights, as well as a public-private partnership between the County and the Lancaster Farmland Trust. Funding sources

include state and federal matching funds, county bonds, local government contributions, and private sector sources.

Carroll County, MD Installment Purchase Agreement approach to large landscape conservation. Burlington County, NJ use of TDRs and PDR.

Baltimore County, MD preservation of more than 50,000 acres through growth boundary, agricultural zoning, and several funding sources.