The Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board has approved funding to preserve four farms in Berks County, ensuring that more than 240 acres of prime farmland will remain dedicated to agriculture.
The investment totals $742,506, with $708,458 coming from the state and $34,048 contributed by the county. The preserved farms include:
- Robert and Cynthia Batdorf’s 52-acre crop farm in Penn and Centre Townships
- Marty and Sherry K. Buck’s 49-acre crop farm in Maidencreek Township
- Timothy M. and Cathy S. Hartranft and Cynthia L. Luckenbill’s 108-acre crop farm in Richmond and Maxatawny Townships
- Richard M. and Janet M. Schlegel’s 32-acre crop farm in Oley Township
These easement purchases are part of a broader $5.7 million investment approved statewide this month to preserve 24 farms spanning 2,079 acres across 14 counties.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the initiative protects valuable farmland from development. “When farms are sold to become warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever, along with the food, fuel, and fiber they produced,” Redding said. “High-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable economic assets.”
Since the start of the Shapiro administration, Pennsylvania has invested more than $140 million to preserve 472 farms and 39,273 acres statewide. Berks County has long been a leader in the program, partnering with the state to protect farmland from suburban expansion.
Overall, Pennsylvania leads the nation in farmland preservation. Since the program began in 1988, the state has protected 6,621 farms and 658,681 acres in 58 counties, ensuring that agricultural land remains available for future generations.
