Agriculture remains a large and important part of Pennsylvania’s economy. How to adjust to the global changes in the agricultural community while ensuring sustainable practices that protect the environment and community is a key public policy concern.
New report identifies alarming state and federal funding shortfalls for PA farmers
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and its partners today released “Voices of Agriculture,” a new report that identifies the alarming state and federal funding shortfalls for Pennsylvania farmers, and summarizes the comments of a cross-section of the agricultural community on the potential solutions. Please
click here for more information.
Case Studies on Agricultural Conflict in Pennsylvania
Conflicts relating to agriculture are an important community and rural land use issue in Pennsylvania. The intensity of discussion surrounding the attempted passage of SB 1413 and HB 1222 in recent years, leading to the introduction and passage of Governor Rendell’s Agriculture, Community, and the Rural Environment (ACRE) initiative, is an indication of the increasing controversy surrounding agricultural operations and the growing tensions between agricultural uses and community concerns. In an attempt to further understand these issues and identify strategies to assist local governments and communities in dealing more effectively with agricultural conflicts, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania conducted case studies in Pequea Township, Lancaster County, and Sullivan Township, Tioga County. The case studies are a follow-up to the survey of second-class townships on agricultural conflict. The study findings reveal common causes and contributing factors to agricultural conflicts, possible actions to reduce and prevent future conflicts, effective methods and community and government roles for resolving conflicts, and future concerns. For a copy of the report that details these case studies,
click here.
For tools and resources on working farms and agriculture, visit these sites below.
American Farmland Trust
Lancaster Farmland Trust
In a decision that stands as a clear judicial endorsement of multi-municipal planning and zoning, the Pa. Supreme Court rendered its decision to uphold key provisions of the Newtown Area Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance. In the case, Appeal of Dolington Land Group, and Toll Brothers, Inc., the court affirmed the long-range land use planning practices that were put into place in several municipalities in central Bucks County.
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania played a role by submitting an amicus curiae brief in support of the ordinance, and one of the key positions in the brief argued against the developer’s argument that prime agricultural land should be considered “undeveloped.” 10,000 Friends’ position is that the land is indeed “developed” in it highest and best use, and should not be considered “available” for future development. In its opinion, the court acknowledged the importance of protecting prime agricultural lands via zoning restrictions.
The court also acknowledged 10,000 Friends' position that participants in a multi-municipal plan can allocate growth and density to one municipality while keeping significant areas in other member municipalities in agriculture or other open space uses.
