101 acres preserved in Freedom Township

The Land Conservancy of Adams County has announced the preservation by Jeff and Betsy Yingling of 101 acres of property in Freedom Township.

In the fall of 2024, Jeff and Betsy were ready to become landowners. They found a wonderful piece of property only a few miles from their previous residence and fortuitously located in their hometown area. The beautiful open views and peaceful setting made it easy to imagine themselves living there. Even before the sale was final, the character of the land inspired them to consider preserving it. After living there and enjoying the changing scenery through the seasons and the sight of their youngest son calling in turkeys from their back porch morning and night during the spring, it became even more important to them to ensure that their children, and even future grandchildren, could enjoy and appreciate this part of Adams County. What better way than through a preservation easement? A preservation easement is a legal agreement between a private landowner and a land trust such as the Land Conservancy. It permanently protects the unique resources and conservation values such as the property’s ecological, scenic, wildlife, or agricultural resources.

Desiring to be good stewards of the land, the Yingling’s have implemented a forest management plan as they work to retain the rural character that made them fall in love with the property. They watch the parade of wildlife and know that by preserving their property, they have given their sons, future grandchildren, and their neighbors a gift of peaceful, rural beauty.

With this preservation, about 64 wooded acres and 35.5 acres of cropland will continue to provide habitat for both humans and animals, continue an agricultural tradition, and provide scenery that nourishes the soul. The Yingling’s say, “It’s important to think long-term. The preservation process is just that – a process.” Their process took some time, but they never lost sight of the end goal. The results are worth it! 

The Yingling’s preservation easement was finalized in August 2026 with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (an agency of the US Department of Agriculture) through its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Adams County Parks, Recreation and Green Space Grant Program, and the Land Conservancy of Adams County’s Conservation Fund.

The Land Conservancy of Adams County is a nonprofit, member-supported land trust accredited by the national Land Trust Alliance’s Land Trust Accreditation Commission, and its mission is to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County, PA. For more information about the Land Conservancy, check out its website at PreserveAdams.org.

(photo by Morgan Huckaby)