Schuylkill County commissioners approved six farms to be appraised and surveyed as part of their applications to the Farmland Preservation program. If they are accepted into the program, the county program will buy development rights to the land.

Commissioner Gary J. Hess and Commissioners’ Chairman Barron L. Hetherington voted in favor of each farm.

Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. voted “no” on the farm belonging to Hetherington.

The contract with Agrarian Associates to complete the appraisal was for the following farms:

The Kreywiski farm, Eldred Township, one parcel, $1,500; the Angela and Josiah Meck farm, Schuylkill Haven, two parcels, $2,500; the William Stump farm, Wayne Township, two parcels, $2,500; the Carl H., Edith E. and Carl J. Wehry farm, Barry Township, one parcel, $2,500; the Barron and Robin Hetherington farm, Union Township, one parcel, $2,500; Masser Farms Realty, Hubley Township, one parcel, $2,500.

Commissioners also voted to approve Burch Associates to complete boundary surveys.

The farms and costs are:

The Kreywiski farm, $2,750; the Angela and Josiah Meck farm, $5,000; the William Stump farm, $6,750; the Carl H. Edith E. and Carl J. Wehry farm, $5,500; the Barron and Robin Hetherington farm, $4,000; Masser Farms Realty, $4,800.

- Chris Parker