2023 Impact Report
If we lose our farmland,
we lose more than our farmland.
OUR
MISSION to vigorously accelerate the permanent protection and stewardship of farmland.
OUR VISION
our farms, soil, water, and roots are protected for all.
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED
$6.2M EASEMENT DONATIONS
$3.8M FARMS PROTECTED 17 ACRES PROTECTED 1,335 WATER QUALITY PROJECTS 28
Staff
Amy Baumann
Mikaela Bender
Nick Biondi
Amanda Church
Chandra Crosson
Jonathan Denlinger
Stephanie Denton
Jonathan Dunkle
Dianna Hendrick
Laura Hershey
Gordon Hoover
Jeb Musser
Kristin Raab
Dan Stevenson
Jeff Swinehart
Katie Yoder
Board of Trustees
Jeff Kirk, Chair
Lisa Horn, Vice Chair
Kenneth S. Lewis, Treasurer
Emily Bell, Secretary
Melissa Falk
Nate Hoover
Erin Letavic
Maureen Maley
Ryan Martin
Lee Mason
Darin Miller
Larry Shirk
Mark Smith
Abner Stoltzfus
Christ Taylor
Brian Wassell
Shane Zimmerman
PROTECTING FARMLAND
In 2023, your support led to the permanent protection of 17 farms on 1,335 acres of farmland.
That is 17 more farms protected from development - 17 more farms that will exist for future generations.
When we preserve farmland, we protect our ability to source local food, bolster our local economy, invest in improving our soils and waterways, and support local farm families. When farmland is protected, we all benefit. This work is a legacy we pass on to future generations of Lancaster County.
When we save our farmland, we save more than our farmland.
17 FARMS PROTECTED IN 2023
LANCASTER COUNTY: 17
2 in Brecknock Township
1 in Caernarvon Township
1 in East Drumore Township
1 in Fulton Township
1 in Leacock Township
1 in Little Britain Township
1 in Manor Township
1 in Paradise Township
2 in Providence Township
2 in Rapho Township
1 in Sadsbury Township
1 in Salisbury Township
1 in Upper Leacock Township
1 in West Lampeter Township
CONSERVING WATER & SOIL
LFT’s conservation work with preserved farmers continued its rapid growth in 2023 thanks to years of persistent, on-the-farm conversations with landowners. Over 500 farm visits were completed, resulting in the development of dozens of conservation plans, over 20 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, and multiple best management practice verifications. LFT also managed 28 projects in 2023 that completed construction or are ongoing in the design or construction phase. That’s almost double last year’s totals! The practices farmers are adding to their operations through these projects – manure storage units, animal heavy use areas, stream crossings and buffers – are making a real difference in improving Lancaster County’s waterways and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.
(Pollutants caused by excessive nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment)
28 CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN 2023
STEWARDING 585 FARMS
The work of stewardship never ends. LFT stewards all 585 farms it has preserved. For us, stewarding land means ensuring preserved farms stay protected forever. To do this, our staff members perform annual monitoring visits on each of our preserved properties. How does it work? Think of monitoring visits like a yearly check-up. Our staff (or volunteers) visit each farm to check that the property, soil, and water are in good health. On these visits, we ensure that best management practices are being followed, soil has not been paved over, and there are no violations to our preservation agreement. We also verify that waterways, woodland, and other important ecosystems are clean and undisturbed.
Protecting land is about more than just limiting development: It requires a mission-driven commitment and a legal obligation to enforce our easements and maintain the land forever. When a farm is protected with LFT, it will be a farm forever - we mean it.
585 FARMS PROTECTED AND COUNTING...
11 in Bart Township 26 in Brecknock Township 11 in Caernarvon Township 9 in Clay Township 31 in Colerain Township 19 in Conestoga Township
1 in Conoy Township 13 in Drumore Township
22 in Earl Township
5 in East Cocalico Township
6 in East Donegal Township
7 in East Drumore Township
3 in East Earl Township
4 in East Hempfield Township
22 in East Lampeter Township 16 in Eden Township
12 in Elizabeth Township
6 in Ephrata Township
12 in Fulton Township 31 in Leacock Township 18 in Little Britain Township 5 in Manheim Township 15 in Manor Township 17 in Martic Township 7 in Mount Joy Township 19 in Paradise Township 13 in Penn Township 5 in Pequea Township 19 in Providence Township
18 in Rapho Township 19 in Sadsbury Township 32 in Salisbury Township 27 in Strasburg Township 36 in Upper Leacock Township 12 in Warwick Township
3 in West Cocalico Township
7 in West Donegal Township 11 in West Earl Township
8 in West Hempfield Township
12 in West Lampeter Township
Thank You
Every success in these pages is owed to you, our community dedicated to the protection of local farmland in Lancaster County. Your support and generosity is why Lancaster County is one of the best places to live in our country! You have enabled us to protect 585 farms on 36,263 acres of farmland - this is just the beginning of the work we can do together to ensure the protection and health of this land we love! Thank you for investing in Lancaster Farmland Trust.
Scan the QR Code above to see the 2023 Honor Roll.
EVENTS
2023 saw us out in the community more than ever before! LFT had a busy year with events bringing together our local community, from long-time supporters to new friends across Lancaster County. Together, we raised funds and awareness about protecting and conserving our local farmland. These events and partnerships allowed LFT to connect all the ways agriculture makes Lancaster County a special place to live. These events would not have been possible without our dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and staff, who made them a success. We are incredibly grateful for your support!
Strategic Plan Release Party
Rhubarb Festival
Spring & Fall Tree Planting
Climate Summit
Water Week
Breakfast on the Farm Events
Family Farm Days
Together for the Land
Strasburg 5k & Half-Marathon
Volunteer Happy Hour
Lancaster County Restaurant Week
ExtraGive
Holiday Silent Auction
Fall on the Farm
Pour Man’s Beer Release
2023 Milestone: 35,000 Acres Protected Forever
In 2023, we were ecstatic to celebrate the preservation of the Weber Farm. This farm took the total farmland preserved by LFT to 35,000 acres amid our 35th year! In celebration of this pivotal milestone, we gathered for a media event. We couldn’t do this without our supportive community in Lancaster County. Thank you! We know we don’t have the next 35 years to protect the next 35,000 acres of our precious local farmland. Together, we are dedicated to vigorously accelerating the permanent protection and stewardship of farmland. Scan the QR Code below to read the LNP article on this LFT milestone.
Easement Acquisitions
2023 EXPENSES
The cost of preserving 17 new farms in 2023
$3,164,449
Water Quality Projects
$$ spent on conservation work + BMPs
$3,301,614
Administration
This money helps LFT run
$95,102
Stewardship and Outreach
Programmatic expenses to monitor/steward farms and engage/educate the community
$405,855
Fundraising
The cost associated with raising money
$273,204
Easement Donations
2023 REVENUE
This is the dollar value of easements that are donated to LFT for preservation
$3,791,747
Grants
Contributions
This is the total financial support from YOU, our donors
$1,641,869
We apply for this money to help further our mission
$4,181,542
Events
$$ brought in from our events
$135,595
Fee for Service
This money is paid to LFT for staff work assisting other orgs
$268,152
Our financial statements have been audited by Brown Plus, an independent certified public accounting firm. Having expended more than $750,000 of federal award funds in 2023, LFT’s audit included a successful review of both our financial statements and compliance with Federal award program requirements.
20 23
Since 1988, Lancaster Farmland Trust has protected 585 farms on 36,263 acres of farmland. Together we are ensuring that the future of Lancaster County farmland is in our hands. Once our farmland is paved over, we can never get it back. That’s why it’s so critical to save the acres we have left.
Here’s to the next 35,000 acres...
