Agricultural Security Areas 

• PA Department of Agriculture - ASA

• Act 43 of 1981 - Agricultural Security Area Law

• Chapter 1381 - Agricultural Security Area Regulation

• Agricultural Security Area Handbook

• An ASA is a designation of productive farmland within a community. They are a tool for protecting agriculture. Farmers work with their municipalities to establish areas of predominant agricultural land uses. Local municipalities (cities, boroughs, townships) create ASAs at the request of landowners who agree to collectively place at least 250 acres in an ASA.

• Benefits of ASAs:

  • prerequisite for the Agricultural Preservation Program

  • provide protection against eminent domain (ALCAB review)

  • provide protection against ordinances that may unreasonably restrict normal farming activities

  • voluntary and non-restrictive

For further information visit the

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Farmland Preservation website.