Dept. Of Agriculture Protects 2,046 Acres Of Farmland In 10 Counties From Development

On October 13, the Department of Agriculture announced 2,046 acres on 24 farms in 10 counties are being protected from future development by the investment of nearly $7.5 million in state, county, local and nonprofit dollars. 

Pennsylvania has now protected 6,118 farms and 616,713 acres in 58 counties from future commercial, industrial or residential development.

The newly preserved farms are in Berks, Bucks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Wyoming and York counties.

“Every dollar spent protecting prime farmland from development is an investment in our economy, our environment, our quality of life, and our ability to feed Pennsylvania’s families and economy,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Preserving land resources is one of the most important investments we make together, across every level of government, hand in hand with farm families investing to guard their legacy of daily hard work and sacrifice to feed us all.”   

By selling their land’s development rights, landowners ensure that their farm will remain a farm and never be sold for residential, commercial or industrial development. 

Farm families often sell their land at below market value, donate additional land, or agree to conservation practices on their farms in order to leverage additional federal and state money to preserve more family farms.

Pennsylvania partners with county and sometimes local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security and leading the nation in the number of preserved farms. 

Since 1988, Pennsylvania has invested more than $1.6 billion to protect open, green spaces and food production for the future.

Notable farms preserved by the PA Land Preservation Board include:

-- John M. and Kathryn A. Hunsberger’s farm in Bucks County is scenic and highly visible from the road. The prime location is coveted by residential developers who will pay top dollar for the land. The Hunsberger’s easement purchase will ensure that the 62-plus acres remain green space and productive farmland.

-- Robert and Laura Faux’s Wyoming County crop and cattle farm has been in their family for generations. The property’s original barn predates the Civil War, features hand-hewn beams and is still in use.

-- John W. Marsteller Jr.’s York County crop farm is the third farm preserved by the family, bringing the family’s total protected land to more than 1,400 acres. Southern York County is experiencing intense residential development pressure as a bedroom community for Baltimore commuters.

Click Here for a list of all farms preserved.

For more information on this program, visit Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Program webpage.

Related Articles:

-- Natural Lands Adds 158 Acres To PA State Game Lands In Lebanon, Lancaster Counties  [PaEN]

-- Lancaster Farmland Trust Renews Its Focus On Farmland Preservation In Lancaster County  [PaEN]

-- DailyLocal.com: Delaware County-based Brandywine Conservancy’s Efforts To Preserve Land From Development Nears 70,000 Acre Mark

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch In Cumberland County Donated To Game Commission

-- Courier Times: Future Of Fonthill Castle: How A Grant Could Transform Doylestown Landmark, Woodlands

[Posted: October 13, 2022]  PA Environment Digest