Lehigh County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Lehigh County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
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last updated: August 2022

The Bureau of Agricultural Land Preservation works with the nine member Sterling Raber Agricultural Land Preservation Board of Lehigh County to preserve farmland within Lehigh County. The name of the board was changed at the end of 2009 to honor Sterling Raber, former county commissioner and chairman of the farmland preservation board, for his long-time dedication and commitment to protecting agriculture and rural life in Lehigh County.

The preservation of farmland is accomplished through the purchase of agricultural conservation easements (also known as the purchase of development rights) on eligible Lehigh County farm properties.

The Lehigh County Land Preservation Board reviews the county program’s per acre cap each year. The current cap is $6,000 an acre. This is the maximum amount per acre that the Board will pay. The Board will continue to limit the increase in easement value from second opinion appraisals to no more than 50% above the original offer. Second opinion appraisals are not accepted for Out of Order Municipal Partnership easements or Emergency Purchase Easements. Any Board purchase of an easement below the appraisal price might result in income tax breaks. For more information, please see your tax accountant.

Contact Lehigh County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

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Lehigh County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.