Preserving Lancaster county Farms

As someone who was born and raised here in the 100th district, who has lived here for more than 50 years, and has worked on and watched farms and farming change during the decades, I find myself growing increasingly possessive of Lancaster County and its traditions. Growing up on a hog farm in the 1970s and 80s, I learned firsthand the value of hard labor and the connection between our people and the land. My early years were defined by the struggle to keep our family farm afloat during high interest rates and the dedication required to transition to supplemental crops like peppers and strawberries.

Working at an orchard and for neighboring dairy farmer Kenneth Beiler, I gained a comprehensive understanding of agriculture—from soil health and animal care to money management and marketing. In those years we walked out to the field to judge the alfalfa before we cut it. We watched the sky. We knew each cow by name. We climbed the silos and we harvested with our neighbors. Most importantly, I learned that every farm and every farmer is unique. This perspective is vital today as we face the challenges of development, neglect, and consolidation.

To reverse these trends, we must ensure that our farms are profitable and individualized. Most farms in Lancaster County are small family businesses that deserve just treatment under state and local laws. Regulatory justice is essential for these farms to remain profitable and to be passed down to the next generation. The family that has worked a piece of land for decades cares for it more than anyone else; the best way to preserve that land is to farm it. 

As your Representative in Harrisburg, I am committed to sponsoring legislation that provides "farm freedoms." I believe Pennsylvania should look to models like Indiana’s HB 1424, which reduces regulatory oversight for small farms with gross sales under $1.5 million. By providing economic and regulatory equality, we allow farmers the flexibility to make decisions based on their specific size, workforce, and market demands.

The most sustainable way to preserve Lancaster County farmland is to preserve our farmers by giving them the individual freedom to farm and thrive.