Conserveland

Contact Us | Get Updates

Welcome to Conserveland.org
  • Login
  • Create Account
  • About
    • Vision & Mission
    • Background
    • Board of Directors
    • Policy Advisory Committee
    • Member Organizations
    • Milestones
    • Public Policy Accomplishments
    • Bylaws
    • Program Reports
    • Staff
  • Conservation Basics
  • Stories
    • Success Story Map
    • In Their Own Words
    • Stories of Land and People
    • Video
    • Conservation Champions
    • More Stories
  • Jobs
    • Job Board
    • Submit A Job Listing
  • Training
    • 2020 Western PA Summit
    • Trailability: DEI and Access on Recreational Trails in PA
    • 2020 Trail Workshops
    • 2020 WeConservePA Webinars
    • 2020 EAC Network Conference
    • Past Conferences
    • Mentorship Program
  • News
    • Archive
    • Newsletters
  • Support
    • Donate Online
    • Donate by Check
    • Gifford Pinchot Society
    • Planned Giving and Stock Donations
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • AmazonSmile
    • Donate Your Vehicle
You are here: Home / Stories / Preserve Our Farms

Preserve Our Farms

05/07/2015

“My advice is to not hesitate…we should preserve as many farms as we can, as soon as we can.”

Author: Henry E. Beiler
Location: Lancaster County
Land Trust: Lancaster Farmland Trust

Over the years, it pained me to see farmland developed; I realize that people need homes in which to live and factories in which to work, but I also believe it’s very important to preserve our farms.

My own farm is special to me because my father bought it when I was a teen and he worked so hard over the years to maintain the land, especially for me.

Twenty years ago, when my son was a boy of about 15 years old, I asked him if I should preserve our farm. “Yes”, he said, “we should do it.” Today, both my son and two daughters live on preserved farms. It is very rewarding to see this contiguous block of preserved farmland.

After preserving the upper half of the farm through the Lancaster Agricultural Preserve Board, I decided it was time to preserve the lower half as well. TheLancaster Farmland Trust helped me preserve this portion of the farm, which was approximately 44 acres. The Trust was very helpful, and I have all good words to say about them. I think the Trust does tremendous work in preserving farms.

Since I preserved my farm in 1991, several neighbors of mine also have preserved their farms. They decided to take the initiative because their area is under threat of development as well. These farmers are both Amish and Mennonite.

My advice is to not hesitate  . . . preserve your land. We should preserve as many farms as we can, as soon as we can.

In Their Own Words

  • A Gift to the Community
  • A Permanent Agreement Between Us and Nature
  • A Place in the Country
  • A Quiet Satisfaction
  • An Amazing Feeling
  • Essentially as We Found It
  • Five Hills Farm
  • For Future Generations 
to Enjoy
  • Forever Holding on to Holden Farm
  • Greg’s Woods
  • Keeping Bedminster Green
  • Kipp’s Fen
  • Preserve Our Farms
  • Preserving the Character of York County
  • Saving Our Family Lands
  • Solebury Township Landowners
  • The Value of Land Conservation
  • There Was Really No Other Choice

People & Projects

  • Part of Brandywine Battlefield Preserved in Westtown Township

    Part of Brandywine Battlefield Preserved in Westtown Township

    Natural Lands announced on October 26, 2020 the permanent protection of nearly 10 acres of land along the fast-developing Route …Read More »
  • Unlikely Partners BalletX and Natural Lands Make Nature Center Stage

    Unlikely Partners BalletX and Natural Lands Make Nature Center Stage

    What does it look like when the regions oldest and largest land conservation organization and Philadelphia’s Premier Contemporary Ballet Company …Read More »
  • Heritage Conservancy Sets Pioneering Example of Partnership and Preservation with Manoff Market Gardens

    Heritage Conservancy Sets Pioneering Example of Partnership and Preservation with Manoff Market Gardens

    Freda R. Savana for Heritage Conservancy It could be said that Gary and Amy Manoff have farming in their blood. …Read More »
  • Berks Nature Closes on a Conservation Easement of Olivet Blue Mountain Camp

    Berks Nature Closes on a Conservation Easement of Olivet Blue Mountain Camp

    On September 30th, 2020, Berks Nature closed on a conservation easement project in the Schuylkill River Watershed, Kittatinny Ridge and …Read More »
  • Fifteen More Acres Protected Forever!

    Fifteen More Acres Protected Forever!

      Article originally published in September 2020 by Willistown Conservation Trust. The final conservation chapter to the 15-acre Stonehedge Farm …Read More »
View more posts >>
  • Conserved Properties for Sale
  • Conservation Easement Assistance Program
Get The Latest News

WeConservePA envisions future generations enjoying—undiminished—Pennsylvania’s natural areas and open spaces.

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for supporting the Association’s conservation efforts.

© 2025 · Pennsylvania Land Trust Association