Farmland Preservation
Montgomery County Farmland Preservation Program
As of March 2020, there are 172 farms preserved in Montgomery County under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. These farms total 9,964 acres.
The Montgomery County Farmland Preservation Program purchases agricultural easements from productive farms in Montgomery County. When the easement is sold, the owner keeps the land but no longer has the right to build non-agricultural buildings. The land must remain in farming in perpetuity. The farmer may sell the land, but the new owner must continue to grow productive crops or pasture on it. Applying to the program is voluntary.
In Pennsylvania, there are 5,675 preserved farms (579,940 acres total) in 59 participating counties. In Montgomery County, 29 more farms are on the waiting list.
Interested farmers are encouraged to submit an application. Application material is available below and in the Montgomery County Planning Commission office.
Useful Links:
County Farmland Preservation Website
Ag Conservation Easement Sale Application
Application, Evaluation and Selection Information