The Bureau of Agricultural Land Preservation works with the nine member Sterling Raber Agricultural Land Preservation Board of Lehigh County to preserve farmland within Lehigh County. The name of the board was changed at the end of 2009 to honor Sterling Raber, former county commissioner and chairman of the farmland preservation board, for his long-time dedication and commitment to protecting agriculture and rural life in Lehigh County.

The preservation of farmland is accomplished through the purchase of agricultural conservation easements (also known as the purchase of development rights) on eligible Lehigh County farm properties. As of January 30, 2012, the County Board has protected 246 Lehigh County farms covering a total of 20,427 acres with perpetual agricultural conservation easements. Click on the map below for a close-up view.

The Lehigh County Garden Plot Program will experience a major change this year for the gardeners at the Cedarbrook site. The Cedarbrook plots will be moved to a new location adjacent to the utility garage.  All questions and concerns about plot assignments, plot inspections, and general administration of the sites at both Cedarbrook and Jordan Creek Parkway are being handled by the farmland preservation office at the Lehigh County Agricultural Center, 4184 Dorney Park Road, South Whitehall Township.

Lehigh County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Manual