Despite its continuous growth and development, Chester County has remained populated with rolling hills and picturesque farmland thanks to organizations such as the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, write Bill Gladden and Molly Parzen for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 

The nonprofit has dedicated almost six decades to protecting those aspects of northern Chester County through the permanent preservation of open space. The organization has been working with local townships, the state, and private landowners to achieve that goal. 

Conservation of these ecologically critical areas received a huge boost in 2022 from the Inflation Reduction Act. The legislation included several provisions that help family farms adapt and thrive despite facing increasing challenges from the changing climate. 

The legislation approved the allocation of almost $20 billion over 10 years to fund “climate smart agriculture” initiatives. These voluntary programs make it possible for farmers to reduce the use of expensive fertilizer by planting cover crops, reduce erosion by keeping livestock out of sensitive areas, and assist in protecting open space. 

These programs are instrumental in keeping Chester County’s farms and agricultural products competitive, as they help find and finance ways to lower long term costs and increase yields. 

Read more about open space conservation in Chester County in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 

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