Lancaster County Farmlands
Two snapshots from my recent trip.
Because of suburban sprawl and the population growth of the Amish community, farmland in Lancaster County is scarce. Lancaster County farms are small, on average 78 acres, compared to the state average of 124 acres in Pennsylvania, compared to the U.S. average of 418 acres (Source).
About 30% of Amish families in Lancaster County earn a living through farming (Kraybill, 2008). Of those farms, milk is the primary income. Certain modern day dairy farming practices are permitted by most districts, such as chilling milk in bulk tanks powered by diesel engines--not public electricity--and using automatic vacuum milkers. But in order to keep the operations family-oriented and the herds low, other conveniences, such as silo unloaders and automatic gutter cleaners are prohibited.
In addition to the milking operations, dairy farmers must harvest crops to feed their herd, relying primarily on alfalfa and corn. Alfalfa is cut about four times per summer and baled for winter feeding. About 400 tons of green corn, including the stalks, are cut and hauled to storage in late August. Another 90 tons of dried ear corn are stored. In addition, hundreds of tons of manure must be hauled and spread on fields.
As a result, even a small, 60-acre farm with forty cows entails endless work. It's hard and it's dirty, which is difficult to keep in mind when you're driving by, admiring the scenery.
Because of suburban sprawl and the population growth of the Amish community, farmland in Lancaster County is scarce. Lancaster County farms are small, on average 78 acres, compared to the state average of 124 acres in Pennsylvania, compared to the U.S. average of 418 acres (Source).
About 30% of Amish families in Lancaster County earn a living through farming (Kraybill, 2008). Of those farms, milk is the primary income. Certain modern day dairy farming practices are permitted by most districts, such as chilling milk in bulk tanks powered by diesel engines--not public electricity--and using automatic vacuum milkers. But in order to keep the operations family-oriented and the herds low, other conveniences, such as silo unloaders and automatic gutter cleaners are prohibited.
In addition to the milking operations, dairy farmers must harvest crops to feed their herd, relying primarily on alfalfa and corn. Alfalfa is cut about four times per summer and baled for winter feeding. About 400 tons of green corn, including the stalks, are cut and hauled to storage in late August. Another 90 tons of dried ear corn are stored. In addition, hundreds of tons of manure must be hauled and spread on fields.
As a result, even a small, 60-acre farm with forty cows entails endless work. It's hard and it's dirty, which is difficult to keep in mind when you're driving by, admiring the scenery.