Township, borough and county officials are invited to learn more about agricultural law and regulations by attending one of six “Planning for Agriculture” workshops to be held in March, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said this week.

“As Pennsylvania’s number one industry, agriculture is a vital part of many communities,” said Secretary Wolff. “These workshops will provide local leaders with the tools they need to stay up-to-date on laws and regulations that relate to agriculture and planning.”

Planning for Agriculture workshops will provide elected officials with information on the variety of regulations governing farming and agricultural activities. Workshop participants will explore the impact of agriculture, as well as regulations and laws, on their communities.

Program topics include agriculture security area law, the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act, the Right to Farm Act, municipalities planning code, farmland protection and various case studies.

Instructors include Phyllis Marquitz, acting director for Dickinson School of Law’s Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center; local government policy specialists from the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services; and regional directors from the Department of Agriculture.

The three-hour workshops will be offered at six regional locations during March:

· March 1: West Chester, Chester County – Holiday Inn, 1- 4 p.m.;

· March 6: Meadville, Crawford County – Days Inn and Conference Center, 1- 4 p.m.;

· March 7: Washington, Washington County – Ramada Inn, 9 a.m.-noon;

· March 13: Chambersburg, Franklin County – Four Points by Sheraton, 1- 4 p.m.;

· March 15: Bethlehem, Northampton County – Hotel Bethlehem, 1- 4 p.m.; and

· March 21: Williamsport, Lycoming County – Holiday Inn, 1- 4 p.m.

Registration opens 30 minutes before each workshop begins. The registration fee is $25 per person.

The seminar is being offered by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, which provides fundamental programs, services and training to local officials and municipal employees.

For more information or to register online, visit the PA Local Government Training website or call 717-763-0930 to request a brochure.

2/2/2007