%
$7.5 million goal
1,200 ACRES
The amount of farmland Lancaster County loses each year.
120,000 RESIDENTS
The estimated county population increase over the next 20 years.
4,000 ACRES
The acreage that will be preserved with your support.
50 FARMS
The number of farms waiting to be preserved.
Our Mission
To preserve and steward the beautiful, productive farmland of Lancaster County that reflects our heritage, supports our economy, protects our environment, nourishes our health, and enhances our quality of life.
We’ve made a promise to the 50 farm families on our waiting list that we will help them preserve their land, and it is important that we fulfill that promise.
It is critical that we take advantage of this window of opportunity to preserve these farms and protect our natural resources forever.
“Honoring the Promise” Campaign Video
Join us in “Honoring the Promise”
Gifts of all sizes are needed to make this campaign successful.
| Gift amount | Gifts | Total | |
| $1,500,000 | 1 | $1,500,000 | |
| $1,000,000 | 2 | $2,000,000 | |
| $500,000 | 2 | $1,000,000 | |
| $250,000 | 3 | $750,000 | |
| $100,000 | 7 | $700,000 | |
| $50,000 | 12 | $600,000 | |
| $25,000 | 25 | $625,000 | |
| Less than $25,000 | Many | $325,000 |
Goal: $7.5 million
About Lancaster Farmland Trust
In the 33 years since Lancaster Farmland Trust was founded, it has permanently preserved more than 32,000 acres of land and has become a national leader in the preservation of farmland and conservation of natural resources.
While this is an exceptional accomplishment, the growth of Lancaster County continues to stress our resources and increase the pressure to develop our farmland.
From the Campaign Leadership
Lancaster County is blessed with the most productive farmland in the country. Our rich agricultural heritage has shaped our community and enhanced our quality of life. Today, our farms support our economy, improve our environment, and provide our families with fresh, local foods. It is important that we preserve our farmland so that future generations can continue to enjoy the many benefits our farms provide.
We are pleased to serve as the Honorary Co-Chairs of Lancaster Farmland Trust’s “Honoring the Promise” campaign. As long-time supporters of the Trust, we are committed to its mission to preserve and steward our precious farmland, and we understand the importance and urgency of preserving our farmland now – before it is too late.
The “Honoring the Promise” campaign will make it possible for the Trust to preserve an additional 4,000 acres of farmland and will provide long-term financial security to sustain the organization and ensure that the farms that have been preserved remain protected forever.
Your support of this campaign is important to the future of our community. We hope you will join us in “Honoring the Promise.”
Honorary Co-Chair
Beverly Steinman
Honorary Co-Chair
Barry Shaw
Steering Committee
- Ted Bowers
- Dave Breniser
- John Cox
- Carol Falk
- Dennis Grimm
- Don Hess
- Jeff Kirk
- Bob Krasne
- Caroline Morton
- Larry Shirk
- Bob Shoemaker
- Bill and Phyllis Whitesell
Executive Director
- Karen Martynick
Ways to Give
The Honoring the Promise Campaign will provide the philanthropic support necessary to protect and steward 4,000 acres of rich, productive farmland. Lancaster Farmland Trust will accept outright gifts of cash, deferred gifts and blended gifts (a combination of both outright and deferred). Because Lancaster Farmland Trust is a 501 (c)(3) organization, your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
If you have any questions about making a contribution to Lancaster Farmland Trust, please contact Amanda Hickle at 717-687-8484.
Outright gifts of cash, securities and/or real estate
Estate (or Planned) Gifts
In addition to outright gifts, you may also choose to leave a legacy of protected land through an estate gift to Lancaster Farmland Trust. There are a number of options for creating a gift through your estate including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, outright bequests and gifts of life insurance.
In this campaign, new or increased estate gifts created by donors who are age 70 or older (or will be by the end of this campaign – estimated to be 12/31/21 – will be counted at face value toward both the campaign goal and for recognition purposes. For donors under the age of 70, credit will be given for the present value of the gift. For revocable planned gifts such as new bequests or beneficiary designations, donors will be asked to sign a binding campaign commitment form and provide copies of the applicable section of their will/beneficiary form.
Any donor that commits to an estate gift through this campaign will be welcomed into the Amos Funk Legacy Society, a committed group of individuals who are leaving their legacy by designating Lancaster Farmland Trust as the beneficiary – in part or whole – of their estate.
Blended Gifts
You may find that a blended gift offers you the opportunity to increase the impact of your contribution to Lancaster Farmland Trust’s Honoring the Promise Campaign. A combination of outright and planned giving can offer you the flexibility to increase the impact of your contribution.
Frequently asked questions
What is the goal of the “Honoring the Promise” campaign?
Why is the campaign important for our community?
When will you begin to preserve farms?
How long do I have to fulfill a pledge?
Donors may make their gift all at once or divide their gift over a maximum of four years. Donors to the campaign will be asked to sign a “Letter of Commitment” that outlines their intentions.
Are gifts to the campaign tax-deductible?
Will you accept a planned gift as part of my pledge?
I have other questions, who may I contact?
Need to know more?
Contact us
