(9/2024) Adams County was the 2024 host for the Annual County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Summer Conference, August 4th through August 7th. The conference brought county commissioners and staff from all parts of Pennsylvania. To be exact, 63 counties were represented at the conference. Also, with 540 attendees, the 2024 conference had the highest attendance of any commissioners’ conference on record, second only to the one held six years ago, also in Adams County. These great attendance numbers are a wonderful tribute to the communities that comprise our county.

This year’s conference was held at the Gateway Gettysburg and received wonderful support from Destination Gettysburg and area businesses providing special gift basket items to all attending commissioners and staff. Adams County takes great pride in providing an impressive gift basket of authentic Adams County products. Not only do we want our guest to feel welcome, but to remember that Adams County is a great place to visit, relax and enjoy. Attendees repeatedly expressed their thanks to the Adams County Commissioners for hosting a very enjoyable conference. Frequently we were told, "We will be returning to Adams County." Surely one of our goals of hosting the conference is the resulting future tourism.

At the conference two special people were recognize for their outstanding contributions to Adams County and County Government. Randy Phiel was awarded the PA Outstanding Commissioner of the Year. This award is open to all county commissioners across Pennsylvania, making it a very distinguished award. Just as notable as Mr. Phiel, was PA Counties Solicitor of the Year Award. This award went to Adams County’s Solicitor, Molly Mudd. Ms. Mudd has the dedication and legal skills that produce outstanding legal work, not only in quality, but in quantity, in her service to Adams County Government. It was the highlight of the awards banquet to recognize these two individuals, especially on their home turf.

During every conference various committees meet to address issues in specific subject areas such as elections, taxation, technology, or human services. Recommendations are developed by the committees to address matters that are of extreme concern to the counties. These concerns often reach the Pennsylvania Legislature in hopes of being transformed into a bill that will legally enhance the operation of county government. From last year’s CCAP conference rose a strong voice demanding action to restore funding for 911 Communication Systems. Through the association’s pressure, legislation was passed to restore funding, but not at the levels needed. The shortfall in funding must come from county property taxpayers. Next year (before the bill expires) the commissioners will again pressure the legislature to get an appropriate 911 funding bill passed, thus relieving the burden on property taxpayers.

The association’s Agricultural Committee, of which I am a member, received a surprise invitation from Agricultural Secretary Russell Redding to hold our meeting at his Adams County farm. Mrs. Redding, true to form, provided us with an amazing table of homemade desserts and fresh sliced peaches to complement the meeting. We enjoyed the farm setting and appreciated the Reddings’ hospitality.

This amazing array of desserts set the stage for our committee discussion of preserving the future of the family farm. That discussion had a true pendulum swing from heart-warming stories of family farms passing to the next generation to discouraging accounts of family farms passing to parties with no interest in agricultural pursuits. Incentives and programs were discussed to encourage the next generation to accept the family baton to keep the farms in agricultural production or pursue the means to establish a beginning agricultural operation.

Along those lines, the Adams County Industrial Development Authority in concert with a resolution by the Adams County Commissioners have made the Next Generation Farmer Loan Program available to two young farmers pursuing an agricultural career. This program creates a dual incentive, lower interest rates for the agricultural entrepreneur and tax exemptions for the bank that packages the Next Generation mortgage.

This is a good example of how incentives can help preserve agricultural production in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has invested heavily in agriculture through the PA Department of Agriculture to ensure agricultural remains our leading economic driver. Many people do not realize the strong commitment that our legislature has to Pennsylvania agriculture. It is so strong that Pennsylvania is the only state that has passed its own farm bill. Years ago, West Virginia had a slogan, "As Goes Coal, So Goes West Virginia". Perhaps, in a similar vein, we could say, "As Goes Agriculture, So Goes Pennsylvania".

This strong emphasis on agriculture has made farmland preservation a state priority, positioning Pennsylvania as a leading state in the nation for farmland preservation. Farmland preservation comes with an easement that stipulates that the land is to be kept in agricultural production. This commitment needs to be enforced to ensure that the value of the preservation is being achieved.

Adams County takes this commitment seriously and has in place a periodic review whether the commitment is being honored. It should also be noted that Adams County Farmland Preservation cannot be approved without a conservation management plan. This plan helps to enhance the quality and protection of the watershed that the preserved land is within.

An interesting fact, according to Agricultural Secretary Russell Redding is that PA has the largest number of young farmers in the USA. I asked the Secretary the reason PA has this distinction. He told me it is a result, at least in part, of the large number of young Amish and Mennonites entering agricultural careers.

Another item of note is the change in Pennsylvania Farmland by County from 2017 to 2022. Statewide land devoted to farming declined by 3% during this time period. Adams County, however, experienced an increase of 10.2%, while all three surrounding counties (Cumberland, Franklin, and York) saw a decrease. Even though there is a statewide decrease in farmland, Adams County continues to offer plenty and diverse products for our enjoyment and consumption. Thank you Adams County farmers.