Intelligencer, March 19, 2009

By: GARY WECKSELBLATT The Intelligencer

An 86-acre working farm in Haycock was officially preserved Wednesday, the 124th such property Bucks County has shielded from development.

John and Evelyn Ahlum will receive $950,840 for the development rights to their farm, which includes about 10 acres of woods and grows hay and corn, according to Rich Harvey, administrator of the county's farmland preservation program. The county paid $570,504 for the rights with the state adding $380,336.

"It's some of the most productive farmland we've seen," Harvey said, "very productive soil."

The property is adjacent to five other preserved farms that total more than 500 acres, fitting into the "critical mass" that appeals to preservation aficionados.

"It's better for groundwater recharge," Harvey said.

In addition, he said, "It makes it easier for the farmers to get to their fields. They can move their machinery without the neighbors complaining."

By securing the Ahlum's farm, Bucks County has preserved nearly 11,000 acres. By 2017, Harvey hopes the number is 17,000.

With farming producing about $65 million of Bucks County's economy, shielding a working farm from development "is really important to protect food products for the future," Harvey said. "That's going to be a real issue."

In addition to the Haycock property, the county, through its open space program, is spending $375,375 to acquire a 77-acre conservation easement on Kintner Hill Road in Nockamixon. The property is part of the Gallows Run watershed.

A 27.5-acre conservation easement has also been placed on a Durham Road property in Springfield for $151,573.

In West Rockhill, $3,243 was spent for a conservation easement on 1.1 acres.

Gary Weckselblatt can be reached at 215-345-3169 or gweckselblatt@phillyburbs.com.