Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, will become the first county in the nation to preserve 100,000 acres of farmland, thanks to the efforts of individuals, community groups and businesses dedicated to preserving the rich agricultural heritage of the county.

New Holland Agriculture underwrote the preservation of the last 17 acres of farmland needed to reach this goal, and contributed to the symbolic joint purchase by all of the county’s farmland preservation supporters of the 100,000th acre.

The private, non-profit Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT) auctioned these acres through Acres for Auction to reach this goal at its 25th annual dinner and fundraiser on Oct. 22.

“We are very grateful for the generous support of New Holland Agriculture,” says LFT Executive Director Karen Martynick. “We currently have about 98,000 acres preserved, and now have in place the funding to preserve 100,000 acres by the end of year.”

LFT works in partnership with the Lancaster Agricultural Preserve Board and landowners to preserve their farms and way of life for future generations by placing a conservation easement on their property. Lancaster County boasts some of the richest, most productive non-irrigated farmland in the
world and ranks fourth in the country in the number of farms.

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With headquarters located in New Holland, Pennsylvania, the New Holland equipment brand has deep roots in the agricultural community in Lancaster County, says company President Abe Hughes.

“We deeply value our Lancaster County heritage and the importance of farmland preservation,” he says, “and we’re pleased to be able to help in this historic effort.” PD

—From New Holland news release