Schuylkill County’s Farmland Preservation program has a new crop of agricultural land in line to forever be protected from development.

County commissioners on Thursday approved spending $42,800 in federal funds for appraisals and surveying of six farms whose owners have applied for the Farmland Preservation program.

The list includes a farm belonging to Commissioners’ Chairman Barron L. Hetherington and his wife, Robin.

That caused a low-key back and forth between Hetherington and Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr.

If farmland proves eligible and is enrolled, the county Farmland Preservation program buys the rights to development.

Thursday’s agenda item was to approve farms to be appraised and their boundaries surveyed as part of the process of determination.

Halcovage asked that Hetherington’s farm be voted on separately from the rest. They agreed to do that.

He then voted no, with Hetherington and Commissioner Gary J. Hess voting in favor.

All three voted in favor of the other five farms.

Assistant county solicitor Paul J. Datte said Hetherington “doesn’t benefit directly or indirectly at this point.” until the agency enrolls the farm in the program.

Before the vote, Halcovage read a statement asking Hetherington to wait until he was out of office to apply for the program.

“I have been a supporter of the Farmland Preservation program since becoming a commissioner in 2012. We have funded many projects with the help of state and federal matches that also assist the program.

“Commissioner Hetherington, even before becoming a commissioner, has lobbied the board of commissioners to increase that funding every year, noting that two-thirds of his eligible farmland is preserved, but was looking to get the other third into the program and, with the funding that we were doing, he was too far down the waitlist and would probably never get funded.

“Earlier this year, Commissioner Hetherington asked me to vote to increase the funding in the program by $800,000 over four years utilizing (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, and I expressed my concerns at that time.

“I am fully supporting Farmland Preservation as I have done over the years. However, I ask Commissioner Hetherington to defer the approval of his remaining farmland until he is not in office, and allow another farm to be preserved,” Halcovage said.

After the vote, Hetherington countered his statement.

“I have been farming full time since 1980. My wife, Robin, and I own the very first preserved farm in Schuylkill County. The farm was acquired by my ancestors in 1842. Prior to their purchase they were sharecroppers on the farm. My children represent the seventh consecutive generation to live in the farmhouse,” he said.

“My wife and I have purchased three farms, including the homestead, in our farming career. We have never sold land for profit or developed land. Our sole focus has been to acquire and preserve farmland for future generations,” he said.

“Our preserved farm and our adjacent farm that we are offering for preservation have highway frontage on several sides. At current building lot values this farm would be worth over $1 million. We are offering to give up a substantial portion of this value to keep this farm preserved.

“My daughter and son-in-law recently purchased a preserved farm close to our operation. Their hope is to someday take over the entire operation,” Hetherington said.

“The funding allocation for development rights for Schuylkill County was estimated to acquire approximately 400 acres. A 50 percent federal matching grant has allowed the program to include additional acres being preserved in 2022. The funding to purchase the development rights for my farm is coming from a combination of state and federal funding. Per our Schuylkill County Farmland Preservation Program Coordinator, there will not be any Schuylkill County funds used to purchase the development rights of this farm,” Hetherington said.

“I refuse to apologize to anyone for attempting to provide food security for my neighbors, friends and all of the citizens of Schuylkill County.

“Each summer over 3,000 people visit our farm to pick strawberries. They enjoy our product and we are proud to be able to offer this service for the past 42 years. With the help of our children, we plan to carry on this tradition for several more generations,” he said.

“I am troubled that Commissioner Halcovage has not only decided to not support this proposal, but he has also questioned my integrity and motives concerning the Farmland Preservation Program.

“It is no secret that Commissioner Halcovage has had some difficulties over the past two years. I afforded him due process for over a year. I find it very upsetting that he would question my integrity and make such accusations,” he said.

Hetherington referred to a federal sexual harassment lawsuit filed by four women who work at the courthouse.

That suit has yet to be resolved.