In 1980 Lancaster County Commissioners appointed a nine member Agricultural Preserve Board to preserve Lancaster County farmland. As guidelines and policies were developed, it became apparent to farmland preservation supporters that the program was not effectively reaching the plain sect farmers. Amish and Mennonite farmers were reluctant to get involved with government programs.

Amos Funk, then president of the Agriculture Preserve Board, now known as the “father of farmland preservation” in Lancaster County, had several conversations with Marilyn Ware, a longtime supporter of conservation, concerning the need for an outreach organization to help plain sect farmers preserve their land. A new group called the Friends of Agricultural Land Preservation was formed to fulfill this need. The first meeting was held on November 13, 1985 and the following officers were elected: James Jolly, a history professor at Millersville University, President; Jeanne Sonntag, a member of the League of Women Voters, Vice President; Barbara Skelly, a member of the Methodist Church in Millersville, secretary; and Robert Campbell, owner of Lancaster Farming newspaper, Treasurer and Finance Chairman. Three directors were also elected: Eric Probst, an auctioneer who worked with farms; Marilyn Ware, an environmental activist and supporter; and Amos Funk, a lifelong supporter of conservation and preservation efforts. The organization was intended and continues to be an important support arm of the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board.

In August, 1988 the name of the organization was changed to Lancaster Farmland Trust. Today known by a shortened version of its name, “the Trust,” is a private, nonprofit, local organization with the mission of preserving agriculture and protecting the land. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees that understands the importance of protecting this very special way of life. Funding for the Trust is provided by donations from private individuals and businesses, and grants from various private and public organizations and foundations.

The Trust office is located at 125 Lancaster Avenue, Strasburg, PA. For more information, call 717-687-8484 or email farmland@lancasterfarmlandtrust.org.

(taken in part from My Life and Love for the Land by Amos H. Funk.)