Agricultural Security Areas

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Strengthening and Protecting Agriculture in Pennsylvania

Farm landowners, working together, initiate the process of establishing Agricultural Security Areas (ASAs) in their home municipality.

Participating farmers are entitled to special consideration from local and state government agencies and additional protection from “nuisance” complaints that fall within the scope of agriculture. Both encourage the continuing use of land for productive agriculture.

ASAs are intended to promote more permanent and viable farming operations over the long term by strengthening the farming community’s sense of security in land use and the “right to farm.” They are created by municipalities in cooperation with eligible landowners who agree to collectively place at least 250 acres in an agricultural security area. Farms may only be preserved in ASAs that have over 500 acres.  

View ASA Map

How to Create an Agricultural Security Area

Farm parcels must be at least 10 acres in size. If a parcel is less than 10 acres, it must be contiguous to another parcel that is in the ASA or produces a yearly gross income of at least $2,000 from the agricultural production of crops, livestock and livestock products. Creating a new ASA requires a minimum of 250 acres. ASAs can be multi-municipal. 
Farm parcels must be at least 10 acres in size. If a parcel is less than 10 acres, it must be contiguous to another parcel that is in the ASA or produces a yearly gross income of at least $2,000 from the agricultural production of crops, livestock and livestock products. Creating a new ASA requires a minimum of 250 acres. ASAs can be multi-municipal. 
The property should be viable agricultural land. Cropland, pasture, and woodland can all be included in an ASA. 
At least 50 percent of the land should be in Soil Capability Classes I-IV, as defined by the USDA-NRCS Soil Survey.
The property must be zoned to permit agricultural uses. 

Benefits of an Agricultural Security Area

Joining an ASA can provide a number of benefits and open the door to eligibility for farmland preservation. To download an application to start your own ASA or join an existing one, click here. 

  • Local governments are not permitted to enact local laws or ordinances, which would unreasonably restrict farm structures or farm practices within the area. 

  • No agency of the Commonwealth having or exercising powers of eminent domain shall condemn for any purpose any land within any agricultural security area that is being used for productive agricultural purposes unless prior approval has been obtained from the Agricultural Lands Condemnation Approval Board. 

  • No political subdivision, authority, public utility or other body having or exercising powers of eminent domain shall condemn any land within any agricultural security area for any purpose, unless prior approval has been obtained from Agricultural Lands Condemnation Approval Board and from each of the following bodies: the governing bodies of the local government units encompassing the agricultural security area, the county governing body, and the Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee. 

Farmers receiving loans through the Small Business First Program and the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund may receive a 1% reduction in their interest rate if their property is located within an ASA. 
Farms located in an ASA consisting of at least 500 acres are eligible to apply for the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement by the Commonwealth. An ASA designation is a prerequisite for eligibility. 

Agricultural Security Area Limitations

The ASA designation does not restrict the use of the property by the farmer. It is not preservation and removing a property from an ASA does not have a financial penalty as with the Clean and Green Program. The farmer may sell or subdivide the property. The farmer or any subsequent owners may develop the property in any manor authorized by local zoning, subdivision and land development regulations. 

The farmer is obligated to maintain the ASA status of the farm for seven years after the initial application. After the initial seven-year period the farmer may have the ASA designation removed at any time by submitting a written request to the administering municipality. 

The ASA designation will stay with the property when it is sold or subdivided. The only way a property can be removed from an ASA is through the action of the property owner or through a formal process hearing and action by local government. 

Program Contact Information
 

Allegheny County ASA Acres Municipal Contact Phone/Email
Forward Township 2,750 acres Karen Stretor 412-384-1761 
Frazier Township 764 acres Lori Ziencik 724-274-4202
North Hills COG 2,594 acres Wayen Roller 412-487-5230
South Fayette Township 2,208 acres Borough Office 412-221-8700
West Deer Township 1,744 acres Cathy Sopko 724-265-3680
Findlay Township 520 acres Planning Department 724-695-0500
Plum Borough 1,046 acres Manager's Office 412-795-6800
Fawn Township 519 acres Borough Office 724-226-0666
North Fayette Township 1,703 acres Community Development communitydevelopment@northfayettepa.gov

Ready to Preserve Your Farm?

Learn more about program eligibility, requirements and how to preserve your farm. 
 

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