Agriculture

We are committed to the conservation of the county’s soil and water resources.

Lancaster County is the most productive non-irrigated farming county in the United States.

The agricultural program team in Lancaster County includes the Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD) and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This unique partnership is committed to the conservation of the county’s soil and water resources and is able to assist landowners with Nutrient Management and Conservation Planning, Best Management Practices and Technical Assistance, as well as Funding Resources to install conservation practices.

Under Pennsylvania Law, plowing and tilling activities (as well as some other agricultural practices) are required to have Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (sometimes referred to as Conservation Plans) to minimize soil erosion and sediment deposition.  You can view the Lancaster County Conservation District Agriculture Compliance Policy to find out more information on compliance items.

What are the land use requirements?

Pennsylvania’s Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management) regulations state that all farms are required to develop and implement a written plan to reduce erosion when plowing and tilling (including no-till cropping) and for animal heavy use areas disturbing more that 5,000 sq. ft.

Pennsylvania Chapter 91 requires that all farms in Pennsylvania, regardless of size, that produce or land apply manure or agricultural process wastewater, develop and follow a written nutrient management plan.

Want to learn about the impacts of agriculture on Lancaster County?

Watch our video below.