More farms preserved through program

NORRISTOWN» Montgomery County has added three more farms to its growing list of farms permanently preserved under the Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Program.

These farms include a 23-acre farm in Perkiomen Township and Schwenksville Borough belonging to Suzanne Banyacsky, a 117-acre farm belonging to Edward B. Stokes Jr. in New Hanover Township, and a 61-acre farm belonging to Thomas Latshaw in Upper Hanover Township.

The farms were preserved in part with dedicated funds from the Montgomer y Count y Board of Commissioners and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The county’s farmland preservation program purchases agricultural easements on productive farms in Montgomery County. When the easement is sold, the owner keeps the land but the land must remain in farming in perpetuity.

T he Montgomer y County Planning Commission frequently receives inquiries from farmers who want to preserve their land but don’t know where to start. In response to this interest in farmland preservation, the Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Board and the planning commission invite farm owners and the general public to attend a webinar on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. to learn about the county’s farmland preservation program.

The webinar will provide a brief overview of the program and offer an opportunity for participants to ask questions and discuss issues regarding farm preservation.

“We are pleased to offer this webinar to inform farmers of this program, which can continue the legacy of their farm in Montgomery County,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Farming is an integral part of our heritage, and the county values and supports our local farming businesses, which provide healthy, local foods and conserve our prime agricultural soil.”

Interested participants should register by noon on December 16 to attend the webinar. The Zoom webinar information will be provided on the registration confirmation web page and will also be emailed to all registrants on the day of the event.

This event is focused on gathering farmer interest and gaining new applicants for permanent agricultural preservation. Applying to the program is completely voluntary and free. The application deadline is February 1 of each year. The webinar will be recorded and posted at www.montcopa.org/FarmlandProgram.

There are 175 farms approaching 10,000 acres preserved in Montgomery County. Pennsylvania is also a leader nationwide in farmland preservation, with over 5,700 farms and 580,000 acres preserved, and aids preserved farm owners in business planning and family transitions.