Lancaster County Commissioners today added 253.69 acres of farmland on three farms to its preservation tally, bringing to 78,437 the number of agricultural acres preserved here.

Through its Agricultural Preserve Board, the county buys preservation easements from farmers, essentially paying them to give up the right to ever develop their property.

At their meeting this morning, commissioners authorized spending $605,719.50 to preserve farms in East Cocalico and Strasburg townships.

The United States Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service is contributing $280,113.50 to help preserve two of the farms.

The owners, location, acreage and payments for the farms preserved today are:

Aaron, John, Ivan and Isaac Fisher, Leah Stoltzfus and Martha Yoder; Strasburg Township, 71.69 acres, $286,760 from the county.

Homer and Etta Eberly; East Cocalico Township, 81.1 acres, $162,564.40 from the county and $123,718.50 from the federal government.

Jeffrey and Susan Jean Mitchell; East Cocalico Township; 100.9 acres; $156,395 from the county and $156,395 from the federal government.

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