With eyes focused on a picturesque horizon of rolling hills and meandering creeks, Chester County leaders are once again rolling up their sleeves and planting the seeds of agricultural conservation into the fertile country soil.

Another round of funding for the permanent conservation of local farms is being offered through two programs by the Chester County Agricultural Land Preservation Board — right in line with the compelling vision of the county’s VISTA 2025 economic development strategy.

The Commonwealth/County Program offers a permanent ag conservation easement and a payment for the land’s development rights to parcels of 50 or more acres, while the Chester County Challenge Grant Program offers a similar deal for land with 25 or more acres, according to a Daily Local News staff report. Furthermore, any land of 10 or more acres adjacent to property that has already been preserved is also eligible for both programs.

The deadline to apply for ag conservation funding is Aug. 1, and conserved farmland remains in the farmer’s ownership and can continue to be farmed for generations.

Read more about these ag conservation programs in the Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the topic here.