HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania is investing $6,699,378 to purchase development rights for 1,837 acres on 19 farms in 16 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development. These joint investments by state and local government ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs.

“Food security is national security,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Farmers face fierce competition from developers seeking to buy their land, and saving that land to produce food is one of the most important things we can do to ensure that we can keep feeding Pennsylvania and the world. The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing, along with these farm families, to protect our valuable land to feed our families and economy in the future.”

In 2023 and 2024, Pennsylvania preserved 333 new farms and 27,510 prime acres of farmland across the state, investing more than $96.9 million. Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland. Since 1988, when voters overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,500 farms and 648,692 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.7 billion in state, county, and local funds.

Farms preserved are listed below by county, along with a breakdown of the total $6,699,378 invested:

Adams County — Total investment — $1,158,689; state – $319,460; county – $839,229

Hanover Shoe Farms #21, 274-acre equine farm, Conewago Township

Shirley J. Mummert, 104-acre crop farm, Reading Township

Berks County — Total investment — $198,671; state – $189,559; county – $9,072

Howard J. and Jill Stark, 70-acre crop farm, Perry Township

Bucks County — Total investment — $234,500; state — 209,027; county – $16,613; Bedminster Township – $8,860

Kelsey L. Beers, 17-acre equine farm, Bedminster Township

Carbon County — Total investment — $1,082,662; state – $699,302; county – $383,360

William and Carol Eckert, 78-acre crop farm, Towamensing Township

Luke Miller Graver and Danadee M. Miller-Boyle and Diane L. Miller-Graver and Deanna L. Wentz, and Sara J. Keiser, 129-acre crop and livestock farm, Franklin Township

Centre County — Total investment — $355,032; state – $293,939; county – $50,000; Ferguson Township – $11,093

Karen D. Dreibelbis, 110-acre crop and livestock farm, Ferguson Township

Columbia County — Total investment — $85,554; state-only

Joyce Ranie LeVan, 66-acre crop and livestock farm, Locust Township

Franklin County — Total investment — $70,352; state – $4,177; county – $66,175

Paul E. Witter #3, 26-acre crop farm, Southampton Township

Lancaster County — Total investment — $115,397; state – $4,477; county – $110,920

John M. Heisey, 47-acre crop farm, Mount Joy Township

Luzerne County — Total investment — $281,285; state-only

Kurt A. and Holly M. Michael, 90-acre dairy farm, Huntington Township

Lycoming County — Total investment — $188,234; state – $97,728; county – $90,506

5033 Daughertys Run Rd LLC, 145-acre dairy farm, Anthony Township

Northampton County — Total investment — $1,731,964; state only

Susan J. and Charles F. Forney, 140-acre crop farm, Bushkill Township

Perry County — Total investment — $285,662; state only

Carmen L. and Shawn A. Good, 72-acre crop farm, Greenwood Township

Jason J. & Rhonda Jill Witmer Saylor #2, 123-acre crop farm, Liverpool Township

Schuylkill County — Total investment — $41,811.62; state – $5,031; county – $36,780

Frank Kreywiski Estate, 18-acre crop farm, Eldred Township

Tioga County — Total investment — $144,974; state – $101,524; county – $43,450

James L. Powlison, 105-acre crop and livestock farm, Jackson Township

Union County — Total investment — $380,572; state only

Steven W. and Ruth L. Hoover #3, 118-acre crop farm, Lewis Township

York County — Total investment – $344,017; state – $6,547; county – $337,470

Maple Spring Farms Partnership #4, 96-acre crop farm, Shrewsbury Township