Six Farms, Protected Forever
We are so excited to announce that at this year’s Together, for the Land event, we preserved the Conley Farm! We want to thank everyone who came to the dinner and gave to the cause. Thanks to our attendees, donors, sponsors, and a generous match from West Hempfield Township, we raised $225,000 to preserve the Conley property and advance our mission! It was a beautiful night of celebration and farmland preservation.
“Our farmland in Lancaster County is precious – we can’t get it back once it is gone. The best time to act is now.” -Jeff Swinehart, President & CEO
To learn more about the Conley Farm and other recently preserved properties, keep scrolling!
The Conley Farm
The Conley Farm is a 97-acre property located in West Hempfield Township, home to three generations of the Conley family. The family’s ancestors bought the farm in 1783, and the current farmhouse on the property dates to 1808. Today, Mr. Conley works on the farm with his son, grandson, and nephew.
Together, the family grows wheat, cash crops, and produce, selling produce through their on-site farm stand and other County auctions. The farm is also home to the operation’s beef cattle, as well as 12 pigs raised by Mr. Conley’s grandson.
Passionate for conservation and stewardship, the Conley family has been implementing numerous conservation practices for decades. Some of these practices include no-till farming, pasture fencing, crop rotation, and more!
The preservation of the Conley Farm not only saves beautiful views and fresh food for generations, but also a piece of Lancaster County’s rich agricultural heritage.
When a farm is preserved, it is protected for agricultural use forever. The farm family protects their way of life and gains a friend and champion in LFT for further conservation and water quality efforts. We want to offer our sincerest thanks to all that contributed to the preservation of the Conley Farm and the success of our annual dinner. Congratulations to the Conleys!
The Fuller Farms
The Fuller family, dedicated to the preservation of Lancaster’s productive soil, has preserved two farms this month in Little Britain Township! Mr. and Mrs. Fuller shared a goal of permanently protecting their farm properties, and after Mr. Fuller’s passing, Mrs. Fuller has followed through with the preservation process to fulfill their wishes. The preservation of both properties is a result of LFT’s partnership with the Agricultural Preserve Board. Together, both organizations will continue to work with the Fullers and monitor the farms to ensure they’re protected forever!
The first Fuller Farm is a 20-acre property with 1,847 feet of road frontage. The Fuller family currently utilizes this farm to grow crops such as corn, small grains, and hay. This farm is within a two-mile radius of 3,654 acres of other preserved farms, so the protection of this property adds to Little Britain’s available open space.
The second Fuller property is a 36-acre farm. The family also utilizes this farm to grow crops, as well as house the family and numerous cows. With 805 feet of streams on the property, the protection of this farm will save habitats and ecosystems for generations to come. Congratulations to the Fullers, your farms are protected forever!
The Smucker Farm
The Smucker Farm is a 62-acre dairy farm located in Paradise Township. The Smuckers currently raise 75 dairy cows on the property, as well as grow support crops. With about 1400 feet of the Pequea Creek and 1500 feet of a tributary running through the property, the Smuckers are dedicated to implementing various Best Management Practices on their farm, including a new manure storage pit, heavy use area, and more!
After hearing of LFT’s extensive work in conservation, the Smuckers reached out for resources, eventually deciding to preserve their farm in the process. Now that the farm is protected forever, the Smuckers hope to finish their conservation projects and continue to invest in the property. Congratulations, Smucker family, your farm will feed the future of Lancaster County!
The Esh Farm
Located in Sadsbury Township, the Esh Farm is a 66-acre dairy farm home to numerous cows, horses, and goats. As the third generation of Esh’s to work on the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Esh decided to permanently protect their legacy in hopes of passing the farm on to their son in the future. Protecting this farm not only protects beautiful views and productive soil, but also history, as part of the farmhouse dates back to 1850.
Plus, protecting the farm adds to Sadsbury Township’s available open space, as this property is in close proximity to other preserved farms.
Thanks to a grant awarded by the High Foundation, the Esh Farm is protected forever, stretching funds further to protect even more farms! Congratulations on the protection of your farm, Esh family!
The Blank Farm
Located in Providence Township, the Blank Farm is a 48-acre dairy operation. The farm family cares for 39 cows, 12 heifers, and 9 horses, and grows support crops for their business. Feeling the pressure of development, the Blanks decided to preserve their farm so their sons could take over the family business in the future.
With 1,609 feet of stream frontage on the farm, the Blanks are dedicated to conservation, currently working diligently to implement a riparian buffer along the stream. The preservation of this farm will also allow the Blanks to invest funds into further improving their operation. Congratulations, Blank family, on preserving your farm!
Each preserved farm plays a unique role in our community, maintaining open spaces, enhancing water quality, and protecting the scenic beauty we all know and love. To learn more about the farms we preserve, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn!
