Pennsylvania couple secures permanent conservation easement for 101-acre family farm

In late 2024 Jeff and Betsy Yingling purchased a 101-acre parcel just miles from their previous home in Freedom Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Drawn to the open views and peaceful setting, they started considering how to safeguard the land before the transaction was finalized. Living on the property deepened their connection to its changing seasons, wildlife and even the sight of their youngest son calling in turkeys from the porch.

To ensure future generations could enjoy the same rural character, they executed a preservation easement, a legal tool that permanently protects ecological, scenic and agricultural values. The Land Conservancy of Adams County announced the easement’s completion in August 2026, supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Adams County Parks, Recreation and Green Space Grant Program, and the Conservancy’s own fund. The protected area now includes roughly 64 acres of forest and 35.5 acres of cropland, preserving habitat, agricultural tradition and open rural scenery for years to come.