Pennsylvania has protected 2,038 acres on 22 farms in 13 counties from future residential or commercial development. The investment of nearly $5 million in state, county, and local dollars preserves prime farmland for the future, helping Pennsylvania farms continue feeding our families and our economy.
“Fertile, healthy farmland and clean water are critical to our economy and our future,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “The families who preserve their farms are forging a partnership with government, investing together in ensuring that future Pennsylvania families will have food, green spaces, income, and jobs. Government working to sustain our economy and feed our quality of life is a central goal of the Shapiro Administration.”
Since 1988, Pennsylvania has protected 6,202 farms and 624,277 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.6 billion in state, county, and local funds. Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland.
Pennsylvania partners with county and sometimes local governments and non-profits to purchase development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security. By selling their land’s development rights, farm owners ensure that their farms will remain farms and never be sold to developers.
The newly preserved farms are in Berks, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Crawford, Cumberland, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Union, and York counties.
Farms preserved by county:
Berks County – Total investment – $897,598, $856,439 state, $41,159 county
Boyd Revocable Living Trust, William T. and Karen A. Boyd, trustees, Longswamp Township, a 67-acre crop farm
Cedar Creek Dairy, LLC, Upper Tulpehocken Township, a 43-acre crop farm
The Henry L. and Madeline M. Seidel Farm, Greenwich Township, a 122-acre crop farm
The Barry A. Smith Farm, Greenwich Township, a 95-acre crop and livestock farm
Blair County– Total investment – $128,578 state only
The Linda M. Longenecker Farm, Huston Township, a 76-acre crop farm
Cambria County– Total investment – $239,876, $229,876 state, $10,000 county
The Floyd M. and Marian D. Farabaugh Farm #3, Cambria Township, a 175-acre crop farm
Centre County – Total investment – $1,003.224, $840,674 state, $150,000 county, $12,550 township
The Cynthia A. Barker Farm, Potter Township, a 79-acre crop farm
The Larry F., Suzanne M., and Dawn L. Harpster Farm, Ferguson Township, a 108-acre crop and livestock farm
Strickler Living Trust, Walker Township, a 78-acre crop farm
Source: pennwatch.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Government & Policy