York County has reached a major milestone in its decades-long effort to protect farmland, announcing that more than 50,000 acres of agricultural land have now been permanently preserved.
The achievement comes after 35 years of coordinated work to balance the county’s farming heritage with increasing development pressures from housing, warehouses, and even the rise of data centers.
Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of York County’s economy and identity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than a third of the county’s total land, about 244,000 of its 584,000 acres, is devoted to crops, orchards, livestock, and other farming operations. But those numbers have been slipping.
Federal data show a 3 percent decline in farmland between 2017 and 2022, underscoring the urgency of preservation efforts.
The county formally marked its preservation milestone during a ceremony at the Barley family farm in Chanceford Township. The Barleys are among the largest participants in the program, having secured the future of more than 2,000 acres of farmland for agricultural use.
“This is a remarkable milestone and a testament to our community’s commitment and dedication to keeping York County’s long and proud agricultural tradition,” said President Commissioner Julie Wheeler at the event. “Our farmers are the backbone of our economy, which is why York County has made farmland preservation a key priority.”
The York County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, created in 1990, spearheads the effort to keep farmland in agricultural use.
The program purchases development rights from farm owners, ensuring the land cannot be converted into non-agricultural uses while allowing farmers to retain ownership and continue working the land.
So far, the board has preserved 354 farms totaling just over 50,000 acres. That achievement places York County third in the state for farmland preservation, trailing only neighboring Lancaster and Berks counties.
“Our goal is to preserve York County’s farming heritage by saving and protecting as many of our economically viable farms as possible,” said Eric Naylor, director of the preservation board. “We’re not stopping at 50,000 acres.
Our board and our farming community are committed to ensuring York County remains a leader in farmland preservation.”
The preservation push has relied heavily on both state and local investment. This year alone, York County allocated $1.2 million to farmland preservation, with more than $923,000 of that funding coming from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
State officials say such investments are essential not only to the future of local farming but also to Pennsylvania’s competitiveness in the national agricultural market.
“When farms are replaced by warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in a statement. “The investments we are making together to protect our priceless land, water, and soil will keep Pennsylvania farmers competitive and leading the nation in the decades to come.”
Statewide, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reported investing more than $8.8 million this year to secure 2,017 acres of farmland across 16 counties, a clear indication that York County’s preservation success is part of a larger statewide push to maintain agricultural viability.
For York County, the preservation milestone carries both symbolic and practical importance. While new residential developments, warehouses, and data centers promise economic opportunities, they also put pressure on the county’s farmland, land that has sustained local families for generations and remains a vital part of the region’s economy.
York County’s farmland not only produces food but also sustains jobs, supports related industries, and maintains the rural character that many residents value. Advocates argue that preserving farmland is about more than open space, it’s about securing food supply chains and protecting natural resources for future generations.
The preservation board and county leaders make it clear that the 50,000-acre mark is not an endpoint. With development pressure showing no sign of easing, the challenge of protecting farmland will continue.
Farmers, community leaders, and state officials say ongoing funding, coupled with strong public support, will be essential to safeguard York County’s agricultural legacy.
For now, the milestone stands as one of the county’s proudest achievements in recent decades, a reminder that communities can make deliberate choices to preserve their heritage even as growth accelerates.
As Naylor noted, the goal is not simply to hit a number, but to ensure the future of farming in York County remains strong.
