Chester Counter surpasses 40,000 acres of preserved farm land

The Chester County Commissioners recently announced it had surpassed 40,000 farm acres preserved on more than 500 farms.

The preservation is part of the Commonwealth/County and the Chester County Challenge Grant programs.

Both programs are funded by the commissioners and provide funds to farm owners who want to preserve their farms. A permanent agricultural conservation easement is given in exchange for the owner’s development rights.

Farms must be 10 acres or larger if adjacent to other permanently preserved lands in order to qualify. If not adjacent, then farms must be a minimum of 25 acres for the Challenge Grant Program and 50 acres for the Commonwealth/County Program.

Farms are still eligible even if they are enrolled in an Agricultural Security Area or Act 319.

“Many of the farms that have sought preservation in Chester County are ‘century farms’ which have been in the same family for at least 100 years,” Michelle Kichline, Chester County Commissioners’ chairwoman, said: “In this instance, the preservation funds can help transition the farm to the next generation, in addition to preserving the open fields and rolling hills.”

Preserved farmland now accounts for 28 percent of the county.

The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is accepting applications for the next round of funding.