Dept. Of Agriculture Invests $5.7 Million+ To Preserve 2,079 Acres On 24 Farms In 14 Counties

On October 15, the Department of Agriculture announced the investment of more than $5.7 million to purchase development rights for 2,079 acres on 24 farms in 14 counties. 

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 more than $140 million to preserve 472 new farms and 39,273 prime acres of farmland across the state.

“When farms are sold to become warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever, along with the food, fuel, and fiber they produced,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “High-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable 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 leads the nation in preserved farms. 

Since 1988, when voters statewide overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,621 farms and 658,681 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.78 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.

Click Here for a list of farms preserved.

Click Here for the Department of Agriculture announcement.

Click Here for video, photos from the event.

Visit Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation webpage to learn more about this program.

Related Articles This Week:

-- Natural Lands Partners With Mechanicsburg Sportsmen's Protective Assn., Silver Spring Twp. To Preserve 154 Acres Along Kittatinny Ridge In Cumberland County [PaEN]

-- Game Commission Celebrates Addition Of 509 Acres To State Game Lands 211 In Dauphin County

NewsClip:

-- PA Capital-Star: Gov. Shapiro Visits Lebanon County To Celebrate Farm Preservation Milestone

[Posted: October 15, 2025]  PA Environment Digest