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Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area - SITE
Lancaster Farmland Trust
Hundreds of years ago, settlers came to Lancaster County with little more than the seeds in their pockets. The beautiful countryside, thriving agricultural economy, and quality of life you see today are the result of their hard work and the careful cultivation of the land on which those seeds were sown.
Lancaster Farmland Trust was founded in 1988 by local citizens concerned about this unique heritage and dedicated to protecting agriculture from the growing pressure of development. The Trust is a private, nonprofit, local organization with the mission of preserving agriculture and protecting the land. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees that understands the importance of protecting this very special way of life.
The Trust works in partnership with landowners to preserve their farms and way of life for future generations. When a farm family chooses to preserve, they continue to own the farm and can farm the land as they choose. Preservation ensures that the farm will be in agricultural use forever, eliminating the threat of development and protecting the rich, valuable soils. The Trust’s conservation easements provide flexibility for the farmer allowing him to build new farm structures and accommodate changing farm practices. A landowner can donate the conservation easement on his property or be paid a cash payment for preserving the farm. In addition, farms preserved through the Trust may be eligible for a federal income tax deduction.
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