Wondering why some fields outside Reading stay fields while new homes pop up a township away? In Berks County, farmland preservation plays a big role in where housing can and cannot go. If you are planning a move or sale, understanding these rules helps you set smart expectations. In this guide, you’ll learn how preservation works, how it can shape prices and development, and what to check before you buy or sell. Let’s dive in.
Berks farmland preservation at a glance
Berks County is a statewide leader in farmland preservation, with about 837 preserved farms totaling roughly 79,900 acres, according to the county’s program statistics. You can review the latest totals and township patterns on the county’s official pages and preserved-farms map. Pennsylvania’s program has been funding easement purchases since 1988, and Berks participates in regular funding rounds. For current figures and program details, see the county’s stats and the state farmland preservation program.
- County stats: Berks Agricultural Conservation Easement statistics
- State program: PA Farmland Preservation Program
How preservation works
Agricultural conservation easements
The county buys or accepts donated easements that permanently remove nonagricultural development rights from a farm. Land stays private, can be sold or inherited, and must follow the easement terms. Learn how Berks evaluates applications and monitors properties on the Berks ACE program page.
Agricultural Security Areas
Many Berks townships form Agricultural Security Areas that give farms added protection and help them qualify for easements. ASAs are voluntary and set at the municipal level. Your township or the county agriculture office can confirm whether a parcel is in an ASA and what that means for you.
Clean & Green tax assessment
Act 319 offers a use-value tax assessment for land in agricultural use, which can lower the annual tax burden. If use changes, rollback taxes may apply. For details, review the state’s Clean & Green guidance.
Housing impacts you will notice
Land supply and growth patterns
Preserved farms are off-limits for most residential development, which reduces the pool of developable land in that area. When demand is strong, growth often shifts to unpreserved parcels or into nearby towns that can handle density. Research shows growth can cluster around protected areas unless planning directs it to the right places. See the national evidence on the displacement pattern in this PNAS study of growth near protected lands.
Prices near preserved land
Permanent open space can raise nearby home values, since buyers may pay for scenic certainty and long-term protection. At the same time, active farm operations bring sights, sounds, and odors that some buyers do not prefer. Effects vary by land type and distance, as summarized in this review of conservation and property values. The bottom line: context matters.
Local tax and service tradeoffs
Preserved farmland typically generates less local tax revenue than new homes but also requires fewer services. Municipal choices about zoning, infrastructure, and growth areas tend to drive how and where housing shows up next. That is why township plans and ordinances are so important when you evaluate a property.
Where pressures show up in Berks
Berks County has around 430,000 residents, with slow recent growth, according to Census QuickFacts. Development pressure is not uniform. Townships near commuter routes or employment centers often see more subdivision activity, while areas with large blocks of preserved farms see less. The county’s preserved-farms map and the Planning Commission’s Comprehensive Plan resources help you spot where growth is most likely.
Buyer checklist near preserved land
- Confirm what is preserved: review the county’s preserved-farms map and ask the township about nearby easements and future land use.
- Check utilities and zoning: sewer, water, and permitted densities often determine if growth will cluster near your target home.
- Weigh the amenity tradeoff: open views and certainty can be a plus, but active farm operations bring normal agricultural activity.
- Verify restrictions: if a parcel is preserved, ask for the recorded easement, and learn about Clean & Green rollback rules before you buy.
Seller tips near preserved land
- Lean into certainty: buyers value protected views and long-term open space. Highlight these benefits in your marketing.
- Know your options: if you own unpreserved land, ask your township about zoning, potential density, and whether cluster or conservation design is allowed.
- Consider preservation as a tool: landowners can explore easement applications and tax programs on the Berks ACE program page and the state’s Clean & Green guidance.
Smart growth tools to watch
Municipalities can pair preservation with growth-area zoning to channel new homes to serviced locations. Some regions also use Transferable Development Rights to move building potential from farms to town centers. If you track policy, watch the county’s comprehensive planning updates and learn how TDR programs work in Pennsylvania using this overview of Transferable Development Rights.
What this means for your move
Farmland preservation shapes where homes can be built, but it is one factor among many. Zoning, utilities, and market demand often drive local outcomes, while preserved land adds long-term certainty and rural character. If you want to buy or sell with confidence, pair parcel-level research with a clear plan for timing and pricing. For on-the-ground guidance and a proven marketing process, connect with the Witt Real Estate Group.
FAQs
How many acres are preserved in Berks County, and where can I verify it?
- The county reports roughly 79,900 acres across about 837 farms; check the county’s ACE statistics page and preserved-farms map for current figures.
Does farmland preservation raise home prices in Berks County?
- Not by itself; effects are context dependent, and local zoning, infrastructure, and demand usually have a larger impact on prices.
Can you build a home on preserved farmland in Berks County?
- Easements typically remove most nonagricultural development rights, and terms vary by parcel, so review the recorded easement and consult the county ACE office.
How do Agricultural Security Areas affect buyers and sellers?
- ASAs add protections for farm operations and help farms qualify for preservation, but they do not by themselves grant development rights to nonfarm uses.
Where should I look for growth if land near my target town is preserved?
- Focus on areas with sewer and water inside municipal growth areas, and review township zoning maps and the county comprehensive plan resources.
