Agricultural Preservation Program

Established in 1989, the Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Farmland Preservation and governed by Pennsylvania Act 43 as well as county program guidelines. The program utilizes funds from state, county, and local governments to purchase conservation easements on productive farmland. Farms considered for preservation are prioritized according to soil quality, location, conservation practices, and threat of development. 

Program Highlights

  • Total Farms Preserved: 244
  • Total Acres Preserved: 18,770
  • Total funding in 2023: $3,675,257
  • Total funding 1989-2023:  $186,945,394

Program Guidelines, Application, and Annual Report

  1. Agricultural Land Preservation Program Guidelines
  2. Agricultural Land Preservation Easement Purchase Application
  3. Agricultural Land Preservation Annual Report

Archived Annual Reports

Preserved Open Space by Municipality

Attention: Wolf Administration Encourages Eastern PA Ag Businesses To Apply For Low-Interest Economic Recovery Loans Following Federal Disaster Declarations.

Click here to read more.


Agriculture Secretary Encourages PA Farmers To Be Counted In 2022 Agriculture Census

Click here for information about how to be counted.


We’d like to hear your opinion on the future of agriculture in Bucks County! Take our survey to let us know what you think is most important in preserving the county's agricultural legacy.

Bucks 2040 - The Future of Agriculture


Attention Farmers: Apply Now for Specialty Crop Block Grants 

Eligible projects will stimulate market growth and enhance the competitive position of crops designated as high priority for their potential to feed Pennsylvania’s economy and boost environmental sustainability. Eligible high-priority crops include hemp, hops, hardwoods, honey; and barley, rye and wheat for distilling, brewing and malting. Click here to review grant guidelines. 

A percentage of funds will be designated to projects in rural communities with at least 20% of the population below the federal poverty line. 

Proposals must be submitted through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Electronic Single Application. Applicants with questions about eligible projects or procedures should email Morgan Sheffield, the department’s grants manager, at msheffield@pa.gov.

The Economic Impact of Agriculture in PA: 2021 Update

Farm Vitality Planning Grants help local farmers fund business planning, transition of farm ownership, farm expansion, and diversification of agricultural production. It is a reimbursement grant, and each grant can be used to reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible costs (not to exceed $7,500). Grant requirements and process, eligibility, and criteria can be found here. 

Farmers and farmers' markets that accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cards help local families and communities by selling fruits, vegetables and other healthy farm products. Find out how here.

Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future: View the study and accompanying web tool courtesy of American Farmland Trust here.

AgWebMap

Map of the Preserved Farms in the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, 2020