The state Department of Agriculture announced the preservation of 2,645 acres on 31 farms in townships located in 20 counties through the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. This program protects farms from future residential, commercial, or industrial development.   

“Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farmland, thanks to the unwavering commitment of our farm families and strong support at every level of government,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Many of these farmers have been offered the opportunity to sell their land for development, but they’ve chosen instead to stay committed to feeding our Commonwealth and carrying on their families’ farming traditions.” 

Among the farm families that chose to preserve their farms today are John Marsteller Jr., who chose instead to preserve their farm in Ease Hopewell Township, York County. The Marsteller farm includes seven parcels creating a 2,700-acre block of preserved farmland. This will be the Marsteller family’s fourth preserved easement since setting a state record with a 1,063-acre easement in 1993. 

The newly preserved farms are located in townships in Berks, Bucks, Butler, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Washington, Westmoreland, and York counties. Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, invested $176,969 to preserve an 80-acre crop farm. Lower Oxford Township, Chester County invested $106,812 to preserve a 57-acre crop farm. Most farms were preserved with a combination of state and county funds. To learn more about the preserved farms, click here.