A celebration was held on July 18th to mark the occasion of more than 1,700 acres of farmland in Adams County being preserved. Since 2019, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Land Conservancy of Adams County, and Adams County Office of Planning and Development have worked together to protect a total of 11 parcels of land, owned by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., with permanent easements. Funds from USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) were used to help purchase the easements, which will forever protect the land from development.

The event was filled with multiple key figures speaking on the importance of this moment and reminding everyone in the room that they were a part of something bigger than themselves. The decision to preserve this land was not possible without the support of the Pennsylvania citizens. It was another example of how valuable land is seen in the eyes of not just the farmers, but the whole community. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding conveyed it best when he gave the room a smile and said, “There are decisions that we make that are generational. Then there are decisions that we make forever. This is a forever decision."

However, this project did not come without some hesitation. Randy Phiel, Adams County Commissioner Chair, pointed out that “It is a really big deal for the townships to get involved with this.” Norma Calhoon, who works on the board of Land Conservancy of Adams County, reflected upon the beginning stages when the preservation of this land was just murmurs in conversation. She says that at first the people a part of the conservancy committee did not think that there was a chance to preserve land in Adams County. However, they took the leap regardless and are all proud to say that they have been proven wrong. The nerves were eased greatly by the community that banded together to help make the dream into a reality. The banks that took the time to learn about the project and worked diligently to get the title squared away were imperative roles to get to where we are today.

Denise Coleman, State Conservationist for NRCS, explained that the ACEP and RCPP programs have been instrumental in this process as they deliver impactful results for land preservation as a whole. The easements staff and Denise knew how important this project was and used the grasslands of significance program to ensure that they achieved successful results using all the resources that they had in their toolbox. This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and further conservation efforts. Denise explains that her first love has always been easements and land protection, thanking not just Hanover Shoe Farms, but all landowners that make the choice to preserve their land for generations to come.

It all began with one man. The President and CEO of Hanover Shoe Farms, Russell Williams was affectionately touted as “the man of the hour,” but when he went to the podium, he made it known that the preservation of his land would not have been possible without every single person that was sitting in the room. The fourth-generation owner recounts his decision to preserve his land and said, “To make a forever decision, it is only possible if it is about something bigger than you are.” The future for him is exciting and he fondly spoke about the expansion of the land as an opportunity to keep the beautiful acres the way that they appear now. He wished to put his beloved horses in more areas of the land as the Adams County Planning and Development office reported the equine industry has produced a reported $49 million in Adams County, proving to be a profitable passion of his leading into the future.
The power of community was felt all throughout the ceremony. It was a love letter to land preservation and the teams, whether they be public or private partnerships, that come together to create a legacy. Hanover Shoe Farms representative Kate Cluck put everything into perspective when she said, “what you are doing is investing into our future.” With generations to follow, what a bright future to discover indeed.