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York County approves $306,145 conservation easement for Miller family farm
Summary
The York County Commissioners approved an omnibus agenda that included a $306,145 purchase of an agricultural conservation easement on 87.47 acres owned by four members of the Miller family in East Hopewell Township.
The York County Commissioners approved the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement that will preserve 87.47 acres of farmland owned by Harold and Nancy Miller and Dean and Linda Miller in East Hopewell Township.
Eric (last name not specified), presenting on behalf of the York County Ag Preserve Board, told commissioners the purchase will use county easement funds from the 2024 allocation and is a county-only purchase. He said the submitted application covers two tracts that constitute one tax parcel; the Millers excluded a 6.7-acre wooded tract from the sale. "We respectfully request your approval," Eric said.
The board presentation said the farm is planted in corn and soybeans, that 97% of the soils are in land capability classes 1 through 4, and that roughly 94% of the easement area is available for commercial agricultural production. The farm has an agricultural erosion and sedimentation (E&S) plan written in 2013 and ranked 10th among 50 applicants in the county's 2024 ranking cycle. The Millers accepted 98% of the easement value, and county staff said the purchase will add to roughly 4,300 acres preserved within East Hopewell Township and to about 49,255 acres preserved countywide.
County staff requested $306,145 to acquire the easement. Commissioners approved items 1 through 18 on the agenda in a single omnibus motion; that omnibus vote included the Miller farm easement purchase.
Commissioners did not provide additional details on closing timelines, the exact easement language, or the source of future stewardship funds during the meeting. The presentation said the purchase will contribute to a roughly 6,000-acre contiguous block of preserved farmland spanning East Hopewell, Hopewell and Fawn townships.
Votes at a glance: Commissioners moved to approve items 1–18 as listed on the agenda; the motion carried after a voice vote. The meeting record does not list individual commissioner roll-call votes for that omnibus motion.
The request and the board presentation did not specify an exact closing date for the easement purchase, the final recorded easement instrument number, or whether any state or federal matching funds were sought.
