LEWISBURG — The Union County commissioners have taken another step forward in the ongoing effort to preserve county farmland.
During the board’s meeting on Tuesday, it voted to approve an easement on more than 140 acres of farmland owned by Kenneth Shuck in Lewis Township.
Cindy Kahley of the Agland Preservation Program told the commissioners the county now has easements on more than 6,000 acres of land.
The commissioners explained that once an easement is placed upon a farm, the land can only be used for agricultural purposes, even if the property changes hands.
“If the farmland is not preserved, when a retired farmer passes on, the farmland goes up for public sale,” said Commissioner Preston Boop.
He noted that, without an easement, land is often purchased by contractors and quickly turned into a housing development.
Kahley said the Agland Preservation Program is an important endeavor for the county.
“People don’t realize open space costs the taxpayers less than development,” she said.
Kahley said as housing developments spring up, it costs money to run utility lines and build roads. It also creates an added school tax burden as more children move into the county.
In addition to the economic benefits, the commissioners said it’s important for the county to maintain it’s agricultural heritage.
Commissioner John Showers noted that placing an easement on the land preserves the environment, helps with water recharge and maintains open space.
“It’s everything everyone likes about Union County,” he said.
Farmers wishing to enroll in the program must fill out an application and go through a screening process. Once the farms are approved, Kahley said they are placed on a waiting list.
She noted there are currently 46 farms on the list. Easements are then awarded based on available money.
Kahley said the program is funded by the state, county, Gregg Township and the federal government.
Farmers are paid a one-time rate to have the easements placed on their land. Kahley said the rate is based on the difference between what the property would sell for as farmland and as land for development.
She said, on average, county farmers are paid between $800 and $2,000 per acre.
In other business, the commissioners voted 2-1 to draft an agreement to sell the former North Ward School building on North Second Street in Lewisburg to the Union-Snyder Area Agency on Aging Foundation for $1.
The building has served as the headquarters for the agency for a number of years. The organization had been leasing its space from the county and paid all the interest, loans and upkeep on the property.
Lewisburg Area School District also leases a portion of the building for its daycare program. The sale can only be made if the school signs a waiver stating it is not interested in purchasing the building.
Boop voted against drafting the sales agreement because the county does not yet have a signed waiver from the school district.
Thomas Clark, county solicitor, said the school will likely sign the waiver. The daycare program is expected to continue in the building after the sale is complete.
The sale is expected to close by Aug. 29.