FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2005
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Senate Votes To Expand Farmland Preservation Program To Include Land Used for Commercial Equine Activity

The Senate today approved legislation that would expand the state's farmland preservation program to include land that is used for the commercial boarding and training of horses and other commercial equine activity, according to Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York). 

Waugh, who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said House Bill 619, sponsored by Rep. Art Hershey, is part of a comprehensive "Farmers First Agenda," which he introduced this summer along with Sen. Noah Wenger (R-Lancaster), the committee's vice chairman. 

The package of legislation includes a number of measures designed to preserve farmland, prevent sprawl, help farmers be more competitive and ensure that agriculture remains Pennsylvania's top industry. 

Waugh explained that House Bill 619 would acknowledge the importance of the equine industry in Pennsylvania, which generates over $1.12 billion in economic activity annually. 

As the law now stands, land used for equine activities other than horse breeding, does not qualify under state law because no agricultural product is produced. 

Commercial equine activity would include horse boarding and training, riding or driving lessons, trail rides and therapeutic riding and driving. 

"Our goal is to preserve more valuable farmland and encourage activities that provide valuable support to the agriculture industry here in Pennsylvania," Waugh said. "Many of these equine activities use a great deal of land that can remain free from development." 

He noted that Pennsylvania leads the nation in the total number of farms and total acreage preserved for agriculture.  Currently, 2,687 farms and 308,461 acres have been preserved through the state program.

Contact: Kristin Ebersole (717) 787-3817