Centre County board accepts Digman Farm into preservation program

The Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Board voted March 26 to accept the Digman Farm application into the county farmland preservation program.

Coordinator Elizabeth Pirrone-Brusse presented the Digman Farm application and said the property ranked No. 3 with a score of 77.8 out of 100. The farm is a 25.25-acre livestock and crop operation in Halfmoon Township adjacent to the Hall Farm, which is already preserved, and the Gray Farm, which is in the process of being preserved. The Board approved the application on a motion by Ronald J. Hoover, seconded by Thomas Songer III.

Why it matters: accepting Digman Farm preserves another contiguous parcel of agricultural land in Halfmoon Township, keeping working farmland in production and maintaining landscape connectivity between preserved properties. The acceptance moves the property forward toward closing under the program’s timelines and funding constraints.

The vote followed a staff presentation that reviewed the property’s score and suitability under the county’s ranking criteria. The Coordinator noted appraisals and subsequent closing steps that follow Board acceptance; the Board did not report any amendments or conditions tied to the acceptance.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the program’s standard follow-up (appraisal, title work, and scheduling for State Board consideration or closing as applicable). The County’s reported available funds and township contributions will affect timing for final acquisition.