On Thursday, March 30, 2006, 63 municipal officials, farmers and agency staff from Cumberland County participated in a workshop titled, "Effective AG Zoning, Food for Thought." The workshop was a cooperative effort between the Future of Cumberland County Agriculture Committee (FOCCA), the Cumberland County Planning Commission, the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

The purpose of the workshop was to educate municipalities on agricultural zoning as an option to protect farmland from incompatible uses that would adversely affect the long-term economic viability of the area.  An overview of current trends in agriculture zoning techniques was provided by Jeff Kelly, Cumberland County Planner.  Pat Fero, Shrewsberry Township Supervisor (York County) explained how ag zoning was challenged in his municipality and then upheld in the courts.  Kent Strock, Cumberland County Farm Bureau President, gave an insightful overview on the realities of farming today and stressed the need for local ordinances to be flexible enough to allow farmers to be “entrepreneurs.”

One valuable outcome of the workshop was the identification of the challenges to implementing effective ag zoning and ag preservation in the townships.  Two of the major challenges identified were the sensitivity to property rights issues and the economic pressures facing farmers.  As a result of the information presented, representatives from six of the ten municipalities participating indicated that they intended to pursue at least one of the ag zoning options presented.  

FOCCA is a grassroots group of Cumberland County residents whose mission is to assure that agriculture remains a viable component of future Cumberland County life.  FOCCA is supported by the Cumberland County Commissioners and Penn State Cooperative Extension.  County extension educators assisting FOCCA include Nina Redding, Thomas McCarty and George Hurd.  For more information on FOCCA, contact the county extension office at 717-240-6500.

February 2007