Press release by Land Conservancy of Adams County on 5 June 2025
The last six months have been an extremely busy time for the Land Conservancy of Adams County (LCAC) with a number of easement closings ensuring the protection of agricultural beauty for coming generations.
Tatman Property, photo credit Sarah Kipp
The 83-acre property of Sara and Jamey Tatman in Cumberland Township borders Marsh Creek and is nearly surrounded by other preserved properties. It is half-woods and half pasture, accommodating their new family home as well as horses, goats, pigs, alpacas, highland and longhorn cattle, chickens, and guineafowl. Owner Sara Tatman feels strongly about preserving the land – “We see nothing but farmland being turned over to residential and other developments. We want to be among the select few who preserve farmland in this area.”
“We had significant help to get this conservation easement to the finish line,” according to Sarah Kipp, LCAC’s land conservation director. She said funding was put together from the Adams County Community Foundation’s Giving Spree, as well as a grant from the county’s Green Space Grant Program and a donation from the American Battlefield Trust.
Boyer Property, photo credit Sarah Kipp
In the heart of Adams County’s extensive fruit belt, Boyer Nurseries and Orchards has preserved 159 acres in two conservation easements in Franklin Township. The easements connect to 900 acres preserved a decade ago and complete the preservation of ‘The Home Farm’ with over 1,000 acres now permanently preserved! Rainfall and springs on Boyer’s property drain to Marsh Creek, providing drinking water for Gettysburg residents. “We know there are a lot of natural springs and vernal pools in the woodland behind the farm and it’s an important water resource, so limiting development in this area was really important to us”, said Emma Lower, a fifth-generation co-manager. The Land Conservancy purchased both easements on Boyer’s orchard land and forest with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Adams County Green Space Grant Program, and LCAC’s own funds raised through the Adams County Community Foundation’s annual Giving Spree.
“We thank these private landowners for entering into protective agreements with our organization, thereby demonstrating their vision for the future.”
– Dave Salisbury, LCAC president
About Land Conservancy of Adams County
In the 30 years since its founding in 1995, the organization has worked with local landowners to preserve more than 13,800 acres in the county through 197 separate easements. The Land Conservancy of Adams County is a fully accredited, member-supported nonprofit land trust that works to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. For more information about the Land Conservancy, visit PreserveAdams.org.
