Agriculture Attorney

York County’s agricultural heritage runs deep. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, York ranks among Pennsylvania’s leading counties for farm operations. This reflects generations of families who have built their livelihoods on this land, yet today’s farmers face challenges that go beyond the fields. Urban sprawl, zoning regulations, tax pressures and succession planning all shape the future of our local agriculture.

At MPL Law Firm, we focus on building long-term relationships to help you manage both the business and legacy of your farm. Our agricultural attorneys understand that running your farms means navigating real estate law, tax programs and family transitions. We provide guidance to safeguard your land, your income and your future.

Establishing Your Agribusiness and Family Legacy

MPL Law’s philosophy centers on relationships that last decades, serving Central Pennsylvania for more than 30 years. Our firm offers general counsel rooted in the local economy and community. We know the pressures York County farmers face because we live and work here, too.

Our agricultural attorneys provide business law counsel that connects farm operations with broader planning needs. Choosing the right structure — including limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations — is key to protecting your assets and simplifying transitions. For instance, structuring your farm as an LLC may protect your assets while aligning with estate planning strategies. 

We provide farm business guidance for establishing partnerships, limiting personal liability for business operations, and preparing documentation for banks and lenders. Our lawyers can also assist you in drafting operating and buy-sell agreements and transferring ownership within or outside the family.

Navigating Real Estate, Zoning and Land Use

Development pressure in York County continues to grow — subdivisions, boundary disputes and rezoning requests can put farmland at risk. Having an agriculture law firm by your side ensures your property rights remain secure.

MPL Law real estate and municipal law services encompass various farm land uses. We work with municipal zoning hearing boards and understand the regulatory landscape. Our team helps you prepare for hearings, respond to land use challenges and maintain operational continuity.

We also advise on Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Farm protections, which protect agricultural operations from nuisance claims. The goal is to keep your farm running smoothly, even if the surrounding land use changes. 

Maximizing Tax Benefits and Land Protections

Property taxes and land protections are central to long-term farm viability. Pennsylvania offers two key programs that can work together to strengthen both financial and operational security — the Clean and Green Program and Agricultural Security Areas.

Pennsylvania’s Clean and Green Program reduces property tax assessments by valuing farmland based on its agricultural use rather than market value. To qualify, landowners generally need at least 10 contiguous acres or $2,000 in annual farm income. Enrollment can lower tax burdens, but compliance is critical. If land use changes, rollback taxes may apply, requiring repayment of up to seven years of back taxes plus interest. Split-off limitations also restrict how parcels can be divided without triggering penalties. Careful planning helps avoid these costly surprises.

Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Security Areas (ASA) provide additional protections. An ASA is created when landowners petition their township supervisors to collectively enroll at least 250 acres of farmland. However, individual parcels as small as 10 acres may also qualify if they generate $2,000 annually in agricultural products. Benefits of an ASA designation include protection against restrictive local ordinances and added safeguards against condemnation for nonagricultural uses. ASA-designated lands are also eligible for Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program (ACEPP), which compensates landowners for permanently preserving farmland.

MPL Law helps you evaluate these programs in tandem, ensuring compliance while maximizing long-term protections for your land and legacy.

Drafting a Solid Farm Lease Agreement

Today’s farms need written agreements to protect assets. A farm lease agreement provides clarity for both landowners and tenants. The most common lease types include:

• Cash rent leases: Fixed annual payments provide predictable income.
• Crop-share leases: The landowner and tenant share risk and reward.
• Hunting leases: Create additional revenue streams while maintaining land use control.

Renewable energy leases, such as solar or wind agreements, often span 20 to 30 years. These agreements can significantly affect land use and property rights for decades, making legal review essential to protect property rights. Our farm lawyers ensure your lease terms align with long-term goals and protect your family’s agribusiness.

Planning Farm Succession and Business Transition

Passing a farm to the next generation is one of the most complex challenges in agriculture. Without a formal succession plan, families are vulnerable to disputes and financial strain. MPL Law’s attorneys help families navigate these conversations with clarity and compassion to preserve both harmony and farm viability. Our farm estate planning strategies include:

• LLCs: Protect assets while allowing flexible ownership structures.
• Trusts: Provide clear distribution of property and income.
• Gifting strategies: Transfer ownership gradually to reduce tax burdens.

We provide services for drafting wills and powers of attorney, minimizing estate and inheritance taxes and protecting assets from creditors and unforeseen risks. Our services also include coordinating with business and land use planning for a complete strategy.

Why Trust MPL Law Firm?

Choosing an agricultural law firm is about more than legal documents. It is about trust, foresight and community. At MPL Law Firm, the following principles guide our work:

• Collaborative approach: Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal counsel, working across municipal, business, estate law and other practice areas.
• Proactive guidance: We identify tax and zoning hurdles before they become costly problems.
• Community commitment: We live and work in York County, and we want local agriculture to thrive for generations.

MPL Law’s agricultural lawyers focus on building relationships that last to ensure your farm’s future is secure.

Consult Our Agriculture Attorneys in York, PA

Farming is both a business and a legacy. Protecting it requires counsel that understands the intersection of land, law and family. MPL Law is here to guide you through real estate, tax programs, lease agreements, succession planning and more.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss your farm’s future. You can also call us for more information on our legal services. Together, we can ensure your land continues to sustain both your family and York County’s agricultural community.