A bill recently advanced through the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee that would give property owners more options for managing their preserved farmland.
The Agricultural Area Security Law would be updated to clarify how landowners may want to handle the need for additional farm residences when preserving their farm. The current law allows for the creation of one additional farmstead residence on preserved farms, but some farmers may not want to use this option and instead would wish to waive that right to reduce the value of their land.
The bill also would clarify how preserved farm owners can subdivide their land for a second residence. Currently, the law allows for subdivision only when another farmhouse is going to be constructed.
“Adjustments to our Agricultural Area Security Law are needed to reflect the current and future needs of preserved farm owners,” Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Williamsport), the bill’s sponsor, said. “I believe that the owners of preserved farmland should be allowed to exercise their own judgment, based on individual circumstances.”
The bill has the support of the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association.
The bill moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.