ABSTRACT
Berks County, Pennsylvania, farmers are bullish on the future of farming. They have already permanently preserved more than 67,000 acres of farmland, an accomplishment that both reflects and generates confidence in the long-term viability of agriculture there. The 2003 comprehensive plan, Berks Vision 2020, maintains this focus on agricultural land preservation, calling for the permanent protection of at least 200,000 acres of agricultural land through easement acquisition or effective agricultural preservation zoning. In addition to encouraging municipalities to adopt effective plans and regulations, Berks County permanently preserves agricultural land through its Agricultural Conservation Easement (ACE) program. The Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board capped ACE easement purchases at $2,000 per acre until 2006 and then raised the maximum payment to its level of $2,500 per acre. The 2003 comprehensive plan, Berks Vision 2020, designated rural conservation and environmental hazard areas and subsequently encouraged municipalities to implement the necessary land-use protections using its Conservation Zoning Incentive Program.
