New Holland Agriculture Actively Supports Lancaster County’s 100,000-Acre Farmland Preservation Goal
New Holland, PA (October 24, 2013) – Lancaster County, Pa., will become the first county in the nation to preserve 100,000 acres of farmland, thanks to the efforts of individuals, community groups, and businesses dedicated to preserving the rich agricultural heritage of the county. New Holland Agriculture underwrote the preservation of the last 17 acres of farmland needed to reach this goal, and contributed to the symbolic joint purchase by all of the county’s farmland preservation supporters of the 100,000th acre.
The private, non-profit Lancaster Farmland Trust auctioned these acres through Acres for Auction to reach this goal at their 25th annual dinner and fundraiser held on October 22nd. “We are very grateful for the generous support of New Holland Agriculture,” says Karen Martynick, Executive Director of the Lancaster Farmland Trust. “We currently have about 98,000 acres preserved, and now have in place the funding to preserve 100,000 acres by the end of year.” The Trust works in partnership with the Lancaster Agricultural Preserve Board and landowners to preserve their farms and way of life for future generations by placing a conservation easement on their property. Lancaster County boasts some of the richest, most productive, non-irrigated farmland in the world and ranks fourth in the country in the number of farms.
With headquarters located in New Holland, Pa., the New Holland equipment brand has deep roots in the agricultural community in Lancaster County, says New Holland Vice President Abe Hughes. “Our company got its start in New Holland in 1895 and we have employed tens of thousands of people at our headquarters, manufacturing and engineering centers still located there today. We have become a global company, and the equipment we produce is used by farmers throughout the world. We deeply value our Lancaster County heritage and the importance of farmland preservation, and we’re pleased to be able to help in this historic effort.”
New Holland is also the sponsor of the Lancaster Farmland Trust’s annual Pedal to Preserve fundraiser, which draws hundreds of cyclists for a scenic ride through the Lancaster County countryside as they raise money for farmland preservation.
About Lancaster Farmland Trust
Lancaster Farmland Trust was established in 1988 by local citizens concerned about the growing threat of development in Lancaster County. The Trust works to preserve and steward the beautiful, productive farmland of Lancaster County that reflects our heritage, supports our economy, nurtures our health and enhances our quality of life. www.lancasterfarmlandtrust.org
SOURCE: New Holland