April 17, 2024
When you think of farming, what do you think of? Dairy and produce farming are among the most common in Lancaster County, but many other types of farms help feed us, and their techniques are sometimes different than our local experience of farming. Hydroponics is an increasingly popular type of agriculture, but what exactly is […]
continue readingApril 10, 2024
Did you know that according to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, about 47,000 people in Lancaster County face food insecurity? That’s one in eleven Lancaster citizens who struggle with limited access to good food despite Lancaster’s rich farmland and abundant harvest seasons. So, how does food insecurity in Lancaster County happen, and what can we […]
continue readingApril 3, 2024
With the weather finally warming up, it’s time to get outside and plan those weekend getaways! Lancaster County boasts some of the most popular tourist spots in the state, and agri-tourism is a great way to support local farmers, learn more about our agriculture, and enjoy a trip to Lancaster. Check out these agri-tourism opportunities […]
continue readingMarch 27, 2024
Who’s ready for a fun 2024? Even though the year has just begun, we are hard at work planning an exciting calendar of events for anyone in Lancaster looking to support farmland preservation and have a good time doing it. Learn more about our upcoming events below and get ready to mark your calendars! […]
continue readingMarch 20, 2024
It’s finally springtime, and as the weather warms and flowers bloom, it’s time for the honeybees to get to work! We all know honeybees play an essential role in agriculture, but how much do these little workers actually do? What would agriculture look like without them, and if they’re so important, why are they disappearing? […]
continue readingFebruary 8, 2024
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and if you need help finding unique places to take your valentine’s (or yourself; we don’t judge), we’re here for you! We’ve compiled a few Lancaster County eateries that specialize in farm-to-table dining and vary in atmosphere. Spend Valentine’s Day at one of these local restaurants to enjoy some delicious […]
continue readingJanuary 31, 2024
If you’ve visited Lancaster farmland, you’ve likely heard someone boast that much of Lancaster’s farmland is “no-till” land. Did you know 66% of Lancaster County’s farmers utilize no-till or minimum-till practices on their farms? But what exactly is tilling, and why do we try to avoid it? According to Oregon State University, “tilling is the […]
continue readingJanuary 17, 2024
stew·ard·ship /ˈsto͞oərdˌSHip/ noun the job of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property. When we preserve a farm here at LFT, that’s only the beginning of our work. As an accredited land trust, stewardship plays a significant role in our work with protected farms. LFT staff regularly check in on those […]
continue readingJanuary 3, 2024
The Winter months are finally here, and temperatures outside are quickly dropping! If it’s your first winter owning backyard animals, it’s essential to ensure that your friends are fully prepared for these long, cold days. While resilient, chickens are a few of our backyard friends who may need a little help keeping warm this winter. […]
continue readingDecember 21, 2023
2023 was a year of great successes, fun events, and cherished memories for Lancaster Farmland Trust! While there are too many great LFT moments to list here, we’ve chosen 10 of our favorites from 2023 to ring in the new year. So, sit back and get ready to reminisce with us! Launching Our Three-Year […]
continue readingAugust 24, 2022
Today, Lancaster County Commissioners [the Commissioners] voted to approve $2.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funding to two key partners who are focused on permanently protecting Lancaster County’s landscape, Lancaster Farmland Trust [LFT] and Lancaster Conservancy [the Conservancy]. The projects funded by this one-time investment of ARPA dollars will accelerate the Conservancy’s work […]
continue readingOctober 13, 2021
Click Here to View the Annual Report! Well… 2020 was quite a year, wasn’t it? And yet, despite it being troubling times, we continued to see a rise in farmers interested in preservation. You also witnessed that need and stepped up to support it. Together, we preserved 15 farms and 893 acres in 2020. We […]
continue readingJune 23, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2021 The “Honoring the Promise” campaign will save 50 family farms LANCASTER, Pa. – With 50 farms on its waiting list, Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT) knew it had to do something to pick up the pace of preservation before those farms were lost forever. That’s why the nonprofit launched its […]
continue readingJune 17, 2021
Lancaster Farmland Trust is pleased to present a comprehensive report on farmland preservation. The report is a compilation of information to show trends and raise awareness and is not intended to be a research paper. Lancaster Farmland Trust hopes this report will re-ignite a conversation about farmland preservation – what we’ve accomplished so far and, […]
continue readingJanuary 26, 2021
Lancaster Farmland Trust is excited to announce that we’ve received funding for three new water conservation projects on Lancaster County farms. The first is a $640,947.00 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) through the Growing Greener Watershed Protection Program. This grant allows LFT to expand the work we have already done (through […]
continue readingJune 17, 2020
Issued June 15, 2020 While our beautiful, productive farmland provides its bounty without prejudice, the incidents of the past few weeks have reminded us that inequities in our country and our community have often resulted in the unequal sharing of the bounty. Lancaster Farmland Trust’s mission is to protect farmland to provide food and […]
continue readingApril 1, 2020
Visits are scheduled when possible, but most times, you just show up unannounced due to lack of phone numbers, explains Gordon Hoover. He’s referring to his typical workday as the Agricultural Outreach Coordinator at Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT). As such, Gordon spends most of his days going door to door, or barn door rather, […]
continue readingMarch 27, 2020
Click here to also watch a video message from LFT COO, Jeff Swinehart. Dear friends, We are living in unprecedented times. Each day greets us with more challenges than the day before and more questions than answers. However, if we look for them, I believe we can also find new opportunities – to connect […]
continue readingMarch 26, 2020
Lancaster County is home to many Farmer’s Markets and even more roadside stands full of fresh-from-the-field items. Please be sure to review each vendor’s safety requirements before stopping by. Lancaster Central Market 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA The decision to sell at “Market” during this time is on a stand-by-stand basis. Check their Facebook […]
continue readingFebruary 17, 2020
Levi was already thinking about the rundown house, the leaky barn roof, and the soggy cow pasture when his father sold the farm to him. A capable craftsman, Levi had plans to renovate the house – making room for his wife and their three children – and fixing the leaky barn roof. The soggy pasture, […]
continue readingDecember 6, 2019
Lancaster County’s preserved farms offer beautiful views, clean air and water, and an exceptional quality of life. They also offer fresh foods for our community and our region. Our team rounded up a few of our favorite roadside stands, markets, and shops from our preserved farms. Check out the list below and be sure to […]
continue readingSeptember 16, 2019
Kevin is a second-generation dairy farmer. He has concerns about farms like his passing through to the next generation of a family.
continue readingJuly 13, 2019
Three and a half miles north of the center of Lititz, along Pennsylvania Route 501, drivers cross the bridge over Hammer Creek and find themselves driving through the middle of Mervin Weaver’s 70-acre farm.
continue readingJune 14, 2019
Winter is a time when farmers have a bit of a break from the hustle of fieldwork and can make time for some education.
continue readingApril 9, 2019
We’re excited to have joined the 21st century with a shiny new website designed, just for us (and you)!
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