Pennsylvania set a national record this week by becoming the first state in the nation to preserve 350,000 acres of farmland. The goal was reached by the approval of 70 farms for preservation under the Farmland Preservation Program.

“Pennsylvania is the national leader in farmland preservation, allowing production agriculture to remain a viable industry in the state,” said Gov. Rendell. “Agriculture is a tremendous economic driver and it is Pennsylvania’s number-one industry; every measure must be taken to secure its future for the benefit our producers and consumers.”

The achievement was celebrated at the Fred and Grace Yearick Farm in Clinton County. The 79-acre crop farm was preserved today and also recognized by Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff as a Century Farm.

The Century and Bicentennial Farm program acknowledges Pennsylvania farms that have been in operation for more than 100 and 200 years. There are nearly 1,920 farms with this distinction across the state.

“Agriculture is an integral part of Pennsylvania life. It’s part of our rich heritage and it will play a leading role in our future,” said Secretary Wolff. “By preserving 350,000 acres, we are preserving a part of our history and culture for present and future generations, and making an investment in our future economic well-being at the same time.”

The board preserved 5,633 acres on 70 farms in Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Berks, Butler, Cambria, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Perry, Snyder, Sullivan, Wayne, Westmoreland and York counties. The Armstrong County farm is the first within the county to be preserved.

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program was developed 18 years ago to help slow the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses. The program enables state, county and local governments to purchase conservation easements, also called development rights, from owners of quality farmland.

For more information, visit the Farmland Preservation webpage.

4/20/2007