The joint investment between state and local government protects the farms forever from residential or commercial development, ensuring that Pennsylvania farmers will have the high-quality land they need to continue feeding our families and supporting our economy.
Since the Shapiro Administration began, Pennsylvania has invested $134 million to preserve 448 new farms and 37,194 prime acres of farmland across the state.
“When farms are replaced by warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Productive, high-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable natural resources and economic assets. The Shapiro Administration continues to stand up for Pennsylvania’s farmers, not just with words but with actions, investing to protect our priceless land, water, and soil resources, and fund the innovations that will keep Pennsylvania farmers competitive, and sustain their farms tomorrow.”
Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland.
Since 1988, when voters statewide overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,597 farms and 656,568 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.775 billion in state, county, and local funds.
The state partners with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights for preservation, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security. By selling development rights, farm owners ensure that their farms will remain productive farms and never be sold to developers.
Visit the PA Farmland Preservation Program webpage to learn more about this program.
Click Here for the list of farms preserved and the Dept. Of Agriculture announcement.
[Posted: August 21, 2025] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment