Pennsylvania Invests $6.9M to Preserve 2,354 Acres

By Blake Jackson

The Shapiro Administration announced that Pennsylvania is investing over $6.9 million to purchase development rights for 2,354 acres across 27 farms in 13 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

In 2025 alone, the state preserved 167 farms covering 14,147 prime acres, investing more than $50.1 million. These combined efforts by state and local governments ensure farmers retain the high-quality land necessary to support families, communities, and local economies.

“Protecting farmland isn’t just about preserving open space; it’s about safeguarding the resources that feed and sustain all of us. High-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable economic assets,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.

“Through the newly enacted 2025-26 budget, the Shapiro Administration is once again delivering real results for Pennsylvania agriculture, investing to protect our priceless land, water, and soil resources, supporting the next generation of farmers, and funding the innovation and infrastructure that will keep Pennsylvania’s farms strong and competitive for decades to come.”

Since the start of the Shapiro Administration, Pennsylvania has invested nearly $147 million to preserve 499 farms totaling 41,628 acres. The state’s Farmland Preservation Program works with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring farmland remains in production and protected from development.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms, with 6,648 farms and 661,035 acres protected in 58 counties since the program’s creation in 1988, with total investments exceeding $1.84 billion. Agriculture contributes $132.5 billion to the state economy and supports nearly 600,000 jobs, making it a priority in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy.

The approvals include two Adams County farms in Conewago Township, bringing Hanover Shoe Farms preserved acreage to over 3,100 acres, and the Phillips family’s fourth farm in Codorus Township, York County, reaching 1,000 acres. These investments, particularly in areas facing development pressure, help secure the future of Pennsylvania agriculture.

The $6,987,284 invested in farmland preservation, approved at the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board Meeting, is broken down by county in the following list.

Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey