Luzerne County Council authorized the administration to negotiate leases for county agricultural parcels in Butler Township and heard concerns from bidders about timing, field boundaries and deer pressure.

County staff said an RFP had been issued for multiple agricultural areas in Butler Township and two respondents were recommended for leases. The county’s presenter said three total responses were received and staff proposed leases with Haswold Farms LLC and Long Hollow Cattle Company for different areas.

Matt Bally and Blaceli Masters of Haswold Farms and representatives of Long Hollow Cattle told council they expected quicker action because planting windows were imminent. A Long Hollow representative said planting should be completed by mid‑May and that a council action delayed to May 27 would push the contractors past key crop insurance and planting dates. He described the parcel they bid on as long fallow ground that needs soil sampling, liming and sod removal before planting, while noting an adjacent parcel has been maintained and therefore remains more ready for production.

Bidders also raised new survey stakes that encircle a music camp on Middle Road and asked whether those markers exclude land the bidders had anticipated farming. County staff said the stakes were not placed by the county and that they would follow up with Butler Township and the surveyor.

Long Hollow’s representative also requested lease language to allow cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s deer reduction programs, saying deer numbers on the property were “drastically overpopulated.”

After discussion, the council voted to authorize the county to negotiate leases with Haswold Farms LLC (unanimous) and with Long Hollow Cattle Company (approved with one recorded no). Council instructed the county solicitor and administration to complete lease details swiftly so growers could access the land before the planting season.