|
X1,1 0
<br />September 2005 farmland preservation report Page 3
<br />Nation's Top 12 Locally Operated Farmland Preservation Programs
<br />Rank County
<br />Total
<br />Preserved
<br />Acres
<br />Ag
<br />Program
<br />Acres'
<br />Other
<br />Program
<br />Ag Acresz
<br />Number
<br />of
<br />farms
<br />Local
<br />Funding
<br />Available
<br />(millions)3
<br />Market
<br />Value of
<br />Ag Products
<br />(millions)
<br />1
<br />Montgomery (MD)
<br />64,998
<br />58,977
<br />61021
<br />n/a
<br />6
<br />41.6
<br />2
<br />Lancaster (PA)
<br />621061
<br />49,715
<br />12,346
<br />561
<br />6
<br />798.3
<br />3
<br />Chester (PA)
<br />49,805
<br />19,044
<br />30,761
<br />n/a
<br />6.7
<br />376.7
<br />4
<br />Berks (PA)
<br />45524
<br />42,597
<br />2,927
<br />378
<br />8.1
<br />286.9
<br />5
<br />Carroll (MD)
<br />44,873
<br />39,391
<br />51422
<br />387
<br />9
<br />68.9
<br />6
<br />Baltimore (MD)
<br />43,935
<br />23,257
<br />21,678
<br />n/a
<br />4.2
<br />62.1
<br />7
<br />Sonoma (CA)
<br />41,212
<br />39,207
<br />2,005
<br />n/a
<br />10
<br />571.7
<br />8
<br />Marin (CA)
<br />40,125
<br />38,000
<br />21125
<br />57
<br />0
<br />43.0
<br />9
<br />Burlington (NJ)
<br />391757
<br />21,707
<br />18,050
<br />n/a
<br />9
<br />83.2
<br />10
<br />Harford (MD)
<br />38,655
<br />34,325
<br />4,330
<br />339
<br />5
<br />26.0
<br />11
<br />York (PA)
<br />341161
<br />28,706
<br />5,455
<br />160
<br />0.98
<br />147.6
<br />12
<br />Frederick (MD)
<br />31,893
<br />24,812
<br />7,081
<br />284
<br />4.3
<br />96.7
<br />TOTALS:
<br />536,999
<br />419,738
<br />118,201
<br />69.2
<br />2.6 billion
<br />Notes ' Ag program acres may include acres preserved through state or county programs. All reported acres are finalized. In
<br />Montgomery County, most acres are protected through transfer of development rights (TDR). Lancaster is number one in purchase of
<br />development rights (PDR) . Z Other programs include the Maryland Rural Legacy Program, local land trusts that protect farmlands, TDR
<br />programs not operated by the county, and other local programs that permanently set aside agricultural land and allow agricultural use.
<br />3 Figure shows local funds available for the current year..It excludes state and federal dollars which may add substantially to this sum.
<br />Sources: Interviews with county personnel and private organizations, Sept. 2005. Market value figures: USDA Census of Agriculture.
<br />Other sources of preserved acres, by county
<br />Montgomery Md. Rural Legacy Prg, MET
<br />Lancaster
<br />Lancaster Farmland Trust
<br />Chester
<br />Brandywine Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust
<br />Berks
<br />Berks County Conservancy
<br />Carroll
<br />Rural Legacy, MET, Carroll County Land Trust
<br />Baltimore
<br />Md. Rural Legacy Prg, MET, land trusts
<br />Sonoma
<br />Sonoma County Land Trust
<br />Marin
<br />Marin Open Space District
<br />Burlington
<br />Pinelands Development Credit Bank
<br />Harford
<br />Md. Rural Legacy Prg, MET
<br />York
<br />Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County
<br />Frederick
<br />Md. Rural Legacy Prg, MET
<br />About the FPR Annual Survey of Local Programs
<br />Sources of funding & assistance, by county
<br />TDR; local general fund; state programs
<br />State program; local bond issue, municipal TDR
<br />Bonds; state program; municipal match
<br />Local bond issue
<br />State programs; bond issues
<br />State programs; bond issues
<br />Dedicated 1/4 percent sales tax
<br />State grants; private grants; capital campaign
<br />Dedicated property tax; TDR; municipal match
<br />State programs; local real estate transfer tax
<br />State program; local general fund
<br />State programs; local general fund; ISTEA
<br />How localities qualify for the survey This survey, formerly conducted each July but beginning this year con-
<br />ducted in September, measures farmland preservation by 1) number of acres permanently preserved; 2) political
<br />leadership and administrative skill; and, 3) significant funding. While number of acres determine ranking, inclusion in
<br />the survey requires meeting the other criteria. Agricultural conservation easements have been used in at least 200
<br />localities in the U.S. Many more localities qualify for assistance to purchase easements under state and federal pro-
<br />grams. How counties are ranked The ranking considers a locality's total farmland preservation effort, including
<br />activities of other entities and programs, such as land trusts, open space districts that use easements, state -level
<br />farmland programs, and easements assisted with a combination of funding sources. Acres reported are expected to
<br />include natural areas that are part of a property under agricultural use, but properties preserved primarily for environ-
<br />mental protection are asked to be excluded. Agricultural use must be protected in the easement.
<br />Use of this table: Subscribers are permitted to use this table in a press release. Otherwise, reproduction of this table for use
<br />outside of a subscriber's agency is prohibited. It should not be reproduced or transferred to another location or agency. Questions
<br />about the survey should be directed to the publisher at 410 692 -2708 or email: bowerspub @hotmail.com.
<br />
|