2006 News
August 16, 2006
35 Makes 99: Ulrich Farm Becomes Newest Addition to County Agricultural Land Preservation Program
Commissioners Act to Authorize Freeze for Real Property Tax Increase for
99 Preserved Farms
With the addition of Ulrich Farm, a 35-acre parcel, the Bucks County Commissioners have reached a new landmark of 99 farms currently preserved by the Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The award was presented to the farm’s owner, Laura Ulrich, on August 16, the opening day of the 2006 Middletown Grange Fair.
This recent agricultural addition, a farm since the 1850s, has been under the ownership of the Ulrich family since 1921. “The addition of this historic property to the landscape of Bucks is perfectly in accord with the objective of our preservation program,” said Chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq. The rural residence is located in Bedminster Township adjacent to the Warren Buckman farm, whose 173 acres were also preserved in 2006. Formerly a dairy farm, the Ulrich farm currently produces hay, soybeans, corn, wheat, and rye.
The Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program was established in order to provide conservation easement status for its participants. Under this statute, the property is protected against potential development or division and remains within the custody of its original landowner. Since the preservation of the Crooke Farm of Buckingham Township in 1990, and with the new addition of the Ulrich Farm, this program now holds a total of 9,041 acres of preserved farmland. With this continued success in its agricultural endeavors, Bucks County is poised to reach its next milestone of 100 farms.
At the same meeting, the Board of Commissioners, acting as one of three taxing authorities, did their part to authorize a freeze in real property tax increases for the 99 properties preserved in accordance with the Agricultural Area Security Law. This is a necessary first step in the approval process for the other taxing authorities, and is considered on an annual basis.