Farmers can still become part of an agricultural security area within their township. A landowner is required to be in the agricultural security area if they are interested in submitting an application for the Commonwealth's Ag. Preservation Program.

Agricultural security areas are intended to promote more permanent and viable farming operations over the long-term by strengthening the farming community's sense of security in land use and the right to farm. Agricultural security areas are created by local municipalities in cooperation with individual landowners who agree to collectively place at least 250 acres in an agricultural security area.

Butler County currently has 27 townships with agricultural security areas. If you are not in one of these areas, now is the time to contact your township and start one. They are: Adams, Brady, Buffalo, Butler, Center, Cherry, Clay, Clearfield, Clinton, Concord, Connoquenessing, Donegal, Forward, Franklin, Jackson, Lancaster, Marion, Mercer, Middlesex, Muddy Creek, Oakland, Penn, Slippery Rock, Washington, Winfield and Worth.

Among some of the benefits the program provides to landowners:

- Municipalities agree to support agriculture by not passing nuisance ordinances which would restrict normal farming operations

- Limitations are placed on the ability of government to condemn farmland for new schools, highways, parks or other government projects

- Landowners who are part of a 500 acre or larger area may be eligible to sell a perpetual agricultural easement (or other development rights) through the Commonwealth Ag. Preservation Program

Butler County does participate in the program and has purchased 28 easements already.

Having land enrolled in an agricultural security area does not restrict a landowner's ability to use his or her property for non-agricultural development purposes

The following are ways a property is eligible:- Non-contiguous farm parcels must be at least 10 acres in size. The farm tracts needed to create a new 250 acre or larger agricultural area do not have to be under the same ownership or even located in the same municipality. The Agricultural Area Security Law (Act 43 of 1981) allows for the creation of joint municipality agricultural security areas.- The property should be viable agricultural land. Cropland, pasture and woodland can all be included in an agricultural security area.- At least 50 percent of the land should be in Soil Capability Classes I to IV, as defined by the Butler County Soil Survey. Copies of the soil map are available at the Conservation District Office.Also, the Butler County Agricultural Preservation Board will accept applications for the Ag. Conservation Easement Program during the month of January. Now is the time to start thinking about enrolling in the Ag. Security Area in your municipal area.If you have questions, call the Conservation District Office.Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.