LEWISBURG — The Union County commissioners approved the preservation of a crop farm in Lewis and Limestone townships, finalizing the program's allocation of COVID-19 relief funds.
At Tuesday's public meeting, the commissioners voted to approve an Ag-Land Preservation Sales Agreement of $289,289 for Dennis J. Boop and Tammy L. Boop Real Estate Protection Trust for a crop farm on 83.67 acres of land in Union County. This is 20 percent state-funded and 80 percent county-funded with the county's contribution at $231,431 coming from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
"After this easement closes, it takes you up to 11,294 acres preserved," said Agland Preservation Administrator Cindy Moyer. "That would be 109 farms that will be protected. This will build a continuous block of 387 acres. This will finalize the seven easements that we were doing last year with ARPA money."
The commissioners in October 2022 allocated $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds toward preserving seven properties in Union County.
The landowner remains the owner-operator of the farmland while Union County maintains the development rights. The property will remain as agricultural land in perpetuity.
— JUSTIN STRAWSER