Highland Farm, Giles properties must be encumbered by December 31 to secure state funding

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Agricultural Land Preservation Board met Wednesday evening with a tight deadline looming: two farm preservation agreements must be finalized by the end of the month or risk losing state funding.

The board convened December 17 at the Park Street Complex to address the pending deals for Highland Farm and the Dean Giles property, both of which have completed surveys and now require executed agreements of sale before December 31, 2025.

Year-End Funding Deadline

Both properties are slated for installment purchase agreements under Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Conservation Easement (ACE) program, which pays farmers to permanently restrict development on productive farmland.

State guidelines require counties to encumber allocated funds by year’s end. The board currently holds $510,210 in state allocation funds, with $304,428 already encumbered for existing commitments.

Failure to execute the agreements by December 31 could jeopardize the funding designated for these properties.

Damascus Township Request

The board also addressed unfinished business regarding a request for an additional residential structure on preserved farmland in Damascus Township.

Under Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation rules, landowners who sell easements face restrictions on future development. Requests for additional residential structures — typically for family members or farm employees — require board approval and must meet specific agricultural justification criteria.

Details of the Damascus Township request were not immediately available.

2024 Application Status

The Highland Farm and Giles properties represent the active applications from the 2024 funding cycle. Both have cleared the survey phase, the final step before purchase agreements can be executed.

The ACE program compensates farmers for the difference between the land’s fair market value and its agricultural value, with easements recorded permanently against the property deed. Landowners retain ownership and can continue farming, but future development is prohibited.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The board addressed several administrative items for the coming year, including board member terms expiring December 31, 2026, the 2026 meeting schedule, and certification of funds for next year’s program.

Updates on Agricultural Security Area (ASA) designations and new ACE applications were also discussed.

Program Background

Wayne County’s farmland preservation program operates as a partnership between the county, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and participating townships. Funding comes from state allocations, county contributions, and in some cases federal grants.

The program has preserved thousands of acres of productive farmland across Wayne County since its inception, protecting agricultural operations from development pressure in a region increasingly attractive to second-home buyers and tourists.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 7:00 PM
• Location: Park Street Complex, 648 W. Park Street, Honesdale
• Next Meeting: To be determined (2026 schedule pending approval)

Current Fund Balances:

• State Allocation: $510,210 ($304,428 encumbered)
• County Allocation: Amount pending ($88,572 encumbered)

For information about Wayne County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program or to inquire about enrolling farmland, contact the Wayne County Planning Department.