Encouraging Ag-Friendly Communities

Posted July 19, 2023

Ag

With agriculture playing a major role in Chester County, it's important for municipalities to stay aware of current agricultural trends and needs. The county has made this a priority in recent years by conducting a series of municipal outreach efforts, which were highlighted at the Chester County Planning Commission's July Board Meeting.

Ann Lane, the county's Agricultural Development Council's Program Coordinator, discussed some of these efforts which were led by CCPC's Senior Review Planner, Wes Bruckno.

Bruckno explained that the county's outreach includes a tailored zoning analysis for each municipality in order to provide guidance and suggestions to help communities become more ag-friendly. They created six categories to better understand how ag is being regulated throughout Chester County.

Types of considerations included whether or not municipalities promote ag in their policy statements; if they allow things such as agritainment and agritourism (hayrides, camps, off-season activities, etc.); and how well they promote modern agriculture. So far, the county has analyzed 23 municipalities and provided more than half with general terms and suggestions.

This ongoing process will include additional efforts and outreach along the way. Learn more about the county's efforts towards municipal agricultural outreach.

The Ag Council develops data sheets on a variety of agricultural topics. Learn more by visiting the following links:

 

 

Additionally, the Chester County Agricultural Land Preservation Board is accepting applications for two competitive programs funded by the Chester County Commissioners — the Commonwealth/County Program, and the Chester County Challenge Grant Program. To date, over 570 farms totaling more than 44,000 acres have been preserved in Chester County through these programs. View applications and program guidelines.