STONINGTON - Shamokin Township supervisors passed a resolution Wednesday night adding several residents to the Agricultural Security Area (ASA) program.
Solicitor James Bathgate presented supervisors with a spreadsheet listing names of those who qualify for the program.
After reviewing the spreadsheet with the board, Bathgate opened up questions and comments to the public, at which time one couple questioned why they were not on the list. Bathgate said their land may have not meet the requirements or their land was not yet investigated for acceptance into the program.
The ASA program is used as a tool for protecting and strengthening agriculture in Pennsylvania. The state Department of Agriculture lists these details about it:
- Noncontiguous farm parcels must be a least 10 acres in size, and farm tracts needed to create a new 250-acre or larger agricultural security area do not have to be under the same ownership or even be located in the same municipality.
- The property needs to be agricultural land. Cropland, woodland and pasture can all be included.
- The land must be zoned to permit agricultural uses.
A farmer who is in the program may sell or subdivide the property how he or she choose; ASA does not restrict the use of the property. Also, farmers receiving loans through Small Business First Program and the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund may receive a 1 percent reduction in their interest rate if their property is located with the ASA.
The resolution of the ASA for Shamokin Township will take effect in January.
Insurance rate up
In other business, supervisors approved the 2013 insurance policy for vehicles, new equipment and worker's compensation from Myers and Lynch Insurance Company. Cost of policy is $27,058, approximately $2,000 more than last year's.
Chairman Tom Carl and Supervisors John Klinger and Greg Rachau approved the increase.