Board keeps easement purchase cap at $4,000 per acre, requests more analysis with Lancaster Farmland Trust

Director Matt Knepper presented historical program data from 2019 through 2025 noting that in 2025 the program preserved 15 farms on over 1,015 acres. Staff reported appraised easement value for those farms was $4.9 million while $3.7 million was paid due to 13 bargain sales, yielding roughly $1.2 million in savings; seven farms received the board’s $4,000-per-acre cap. Knepper noted a 66% increase in market value over seven years and a 27% rise in easement value while the board has increased its cap only about 5% over the same period. The board has a backlog of 156 farms under consideration.

Members discussed potential effects of raising the cap—greater uptake by high-ranking farms, more applications, and possibly preserving less acreage overall. Lancaster Farmland Trust offered to help outreach to priority landowners. After discussion the board voted to keep the cap at $4,000 per acre for 2026 and to continue researching the issue in collaboration with the Lancaster Farmland Trust; motion carried.