Agricultural Security Areas
An ASA is a designation of productive farmland within a community. They are a tool for protecting agriculture. Farmers work with their municipalities to establish areas of predominant agricultural land uses. Local municipalities (cities, boroughs, townships) create ASAs at the request of landowners who agree to collectively place at least 250 acres in an ASA.
Benefits of ASAs:
prerequisite for the Agricultural Preservation Program
provide protection against eminent domain (ALCAB review)
provide protection against ordinances that may unreasonably restrict normal farming activities
voluntary and non-restrictive
Creating an Ag Security Area
PA Department of Ag - ASA - dead link
Chart Showing the Process for Designation of an Ag Security Area - dead link
Procedure to Record Ag Security Area - dead link
Questions and Answers - dead link
Proposal Form - dead link
Township Supervisor Responsibilities - dead link
Farm Landowner Actions - dead link
Advisory Committee Actions - dead link
Suggestions on Presenting Petition - dead link
Planning Commission Actions - dead link
Renewing an Ag Security Area
7th Year Review Fact Sheet/Process - dead link
Sample Resolution - Additions - dead link
Sample Letter to Landowners - dead link
Sample Resolution - Deletions - dead link
Sample Public Notice - dead link
Sample Letter to Planning Commission - dead link
Before Going to Recorder's Office - dead link
Sample Letter to PA Dept of Ag - dead link
For further information visit the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Farmland Preservation website.