On June 21, the Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania preserved 2,044 acres on 29 farms in 15 counties, forever protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

The investment of more than $10.2 million in state, county, and local dollars preserves prime farmland, helping Pennsylvania farms continue feeding our families and our economy in the future.

"Prime soil and clean water are critical resources for feeding a growing population," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. "Families who preserve their farms forge a partnership with government, investing together in ensuring that future Pennsylvania families will have green spaces, and the resources to produce food, income, and jobs. Connecting businesses and communities to resources they need to sustain our economy and feed our quality of life is a key goal of the Shapiro Administration."  

Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland. Since 1988, Pennsylvania has protected 6,231 farms and 626,321 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.67 billion in state, county, and local funds.

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 Adams, Berks, Butler, Centre, Clinton, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lehigh, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Union, and Wayne counties.

Click Here for a list of farms preserved.

To learn more about this program, visit Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation webpage.

Related Articles:

-- Agriculture Invests $10.2 Million To Protect 29 Farms, 2,044 Acres In 15 Counties  [PaEN]

-- Natural Lands, Borough Of Chester Heights Partner To Preserve 40 Acres Of Open Space In Delaware County  [PaEN]

-- Willistown Conservation Trust To Establish 90-Acre Public Preserve On Recently Sold Kirkwood Farm Property In Chester County

-- Pocono Heritage Land Trust: Protecting A Part Of Paradise - Upper Paradise Preserve, Monroe County  [More Information]

[Posted: June 21, 2023]

6/26/2023