In 2009, (CREP) Plans were developed for <strong>the</strong> following properties:Charles Stevens, Wendy Dodge, Donald Smith, & George DonavanNUTRIENT MANAGEMENTIn 2009, <strong>the</strong> district was able to secure a 319 grant for farms in impaired w<strong>at</strong>ersheds. This gaveus an opportunity to help pay for <strong>the</strong> development or revision of nutrient management plans forfarms loc<strong>at</strong>ed along impaired stretches of stream. The Plan Development Incentives Program(PDIP) funding was also open once again for volunteer oper<strong>at</strong>ions. With <strong>the</strong>se funding sources<strong>the</strong> district was able to help fund three new plans and six plan amendments.NewLevi BylerJeff RaneyChris ShearerUpd<strong>at</strong>ed_____________________Lost Acres FarmPaul ManrossDave and Charlene BishCraig HayesKaren and Joe SabylakSperry FarmsThe Conserv<strong>at</strong>ion District receives funding from <strong>County</strong>, St<strong>at</strong>e, and Federal Sources. It alsodepends on local fundraising efforts.<strong>Crawford</strong> Conserv<strong>at</strong>ion District-2009 Financial ReportEXPENDITURESStaff Salary, Travel & Training $ 341,567.54Director Travel & Training $ 1,310.64Office Building/N<strong>at</strong>ure <strong>Center</strong> + Park Oper<strong>at</strong>ion & Maintenance $ 36,202.93Office Expenses $ 20,259.28<strong>County</strong> Ag Easement Program Expenses $ 10,000.00Grant and Work Project Expenses $ 976,483.35District Reimbursement to <strong>County</strong> $ 65,689.00TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 1,451,512.74INCOMES<strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> Commissioners $336,629.57St<strong>at</strong>e Conserv<strong>at</strong>ion Commission $147,268.79Grants/Work Projects $969,665.61Miscellaneous $ 20,842.70TOTAL INCOME $1,474,406.6718
FARMLAND PRESERVATION<strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong>’s number one industry is agriculture. <strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> residents are used tobeing surrounded by beautiful fields, farms, and forests, and having a land base th<strong>at</strong> is capableof providing <strong>the</strong> fruit, vegetables, me<strong>at</strong>, dairy, grain, wood products, and maple syrup for <strong>the</strong>community. Th<strong>at</strong> scenario is changing. Because of <strong>the</strong> automobile, people can now easily moveout of town. With <strong>the</strong> financial pressures on farms today, some find it easier to sell <strong>the</strong> familyfarm as real est<strong>at</strong>e for development r<strong>at</strong>her than to continue in farming. <strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> is nostranger to this trend. Between 1987 and 1997, farm acreage went from 236,481 to 207,215, aloss of nearly 30,000 acres. During th<strong>at</strong> decade, <strong>the</strong> number of farms in <strong>the</strong> county alsodecreased from 1,281 to 1,069. Although st<strong>at</strong>istics are not yet available, <strong>the</strong> trend appears tohave acceler<strong>at</strong>ed since 1997, with farms going into bankruptcy and parcels being sold off fornon-agricultural uses. Some of <strong>the</strong> best farmland is being lost to o<strong>the</strong>r uses.The <strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> Ag Land Preserv<strong>at</strong>ion Program was established to insure th<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> bestagricultural land in <strong>the</strong> county can stay in farming. On December 16, 2004 <strong>the</strong> St<strong>at</strong>e AgriculturalLand Preserv<strong>at</strong>ion Board approved <strong>the</strong> <strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> Agricultural Land Preserv<strong>at</strong>ion Program.Under <strong>the</strong> program, a farmer may choose to keep his property in agriculture and receivepayment for <strong>the</strong> difference between <strong>the</strong> property’s value as a farm and its value for development.The farm still belongs to <strong>the</strong> farmer, and he may use <strong>the</strong> payment for wh<strong>at</strong>ever he wishes.Pennsylvania leads <strong>the</strong> n<strong>at</strong>ion in <strong>the</strong> number of agricultural acres saved in this way; assuring th<strong>at</strong><strong>the</strong>re will be sufficient land base to produce food and fiber locally for coming gener<strong>at</strong>ions.<strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong>’s Agricultural Land Preserv<strong>at</strong>ion Board members are appointed by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Crawford</strong><strong>County</strong> Commissioners. The CCALP Board is chaired by Jack P. Lynch, Scott Preston is ViceChairman, Richard Deiss is Secretary, and John Tautin serves as Treasurer. Richard Ferguson isa contractor-member; Richard Rendulic and Dennis Hindman are farmer members, and RonaldStaab is an associ<strong>at</strong>e member. Board members serve voluntarily.Members of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> Agricultural Land Preserv<strong>at</strong>ion Board, (above, from left)Jack P. Lynch, Chairman; Scott Preston, Vice Chairman; Dick Deiss, Secretary; JohnTautin, Treasurer; Rick Rendulic, Board Member.Not Shown: Dennis Hindman; Richard Ferguson, Board Members. Ronald L. Staab,Associ<strong>at</strong>e Board MemberIn <strong>the</strong> spring of 2008, The <strong>Crawford</strong> <strong>County</strong> Ag Land Preserv<strong>at</strong>ion Board purchased AgriculturalEasements on 115.6 acres of <strong>the</strong> Lloyd and Phyllis Gerber Farm and 194.8 acres of <strong>the</strong> Douglas19
Change language