Ag Security Advisory Committee
Steven Davis, Chairman
Randy Balthaser
Steven Yost
Mark Wicks
Randall Zimmerman
Randy Balthaser
Steven Yost
Mark Wicks
Randall Zimmerman
Act 43 authorizes townships to create Agricultural Security Areas (ASAs) on a voluntary basis. Landowners are encouraged to enroll farmland in an ASA that offers three benefits: 1) Protection from condemnation or eminent domain; 2) Protection from local nuisance ordinances; and 3) Eligibility for the ACE Program.
A minimum of 250 acres is needed to establish an ASA and a minimum of 500 acres is needed for that land enrolled in the ASA to be eligible for the ACE Program. Most townships in Berks County with an ASA have more than 500 acres enrolled. An ASA may be increased at any time. Landowners simply need to submit an enrollment form to the township office by certified mail, as it is important that the landowners can verify the date the application was submitted.
New parcels of farmland may be added to an established ASA at any time, and this is handled by the Board of Supervisors and Township Manager. In addition to the township’s responsibility to respond to enrollment forms, every seven years townships may review lands enrolled in ASA with the option of adding additional land, at the request of the landowners. ASA enrollment forms and supporting documentation may be obtained at the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Office.
This is where the Ag Security Committee is essential. Should the need arise to review the ASA, or a resident make a specific request that requires Ag Security Committee review, there needs to be a committee in place.
A minimum of 250 acres is needed to establish an ASA and a minimum of 500 acres is needed for that land enrolled in the ASA to be eligible for the ACE Program. Most townships in Berks County with an ASA have more than 500 acres enrolled. An ASA may be increased at any time. Landowners simply need to submit an enrollment form to the township office by certified mail, as it is important that the landowners can verify the date the application was submitted.
New parcels of farmland may be added to an established ASA at any time, and this is handled by the Board of Supervisors and Township Manager. In addition to the township’s responsibility to respond to enrollment forms, every seven years townships may review lands enrolled in ASA with the option of adding additional land, at the request of the landowners. ASA enrollment forms and supporting documentation may be obtained at the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Office.
This is where the Ag Security Committee is essential. Should the need arise to review the ASA, or a resident make a specific request that requires Ag Security Committee review, there needs to be a committee in place.