The Shapiro Administration has announced that Pennsylvania is investing more than $9.9 million to purchase development rights for 2,654 acres on 30 farms in 14 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development. These conservation easement purchases ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs in the future.
In Berks County has a total investment of $699,312; state $568,285; county $131,027. Geiger Family, 84-acre crop farm, Ontelaunee Township. Debra A. Gingrich, Sarah Gingrich and Christy M. Yohn, 117-acre crop farm, Bethel Township. Christopher and Lisa C. Teprovich 46-acre crop farm, Centre Township.
“Pennsylvania is a great place to do business,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Our location near ports, interstates, railways, and 40 percent of the U.S. population means farmers face fierce competition from developers seeking to buy their land. Saving fertile farmland for producing food, rather than losing it to warehouses and suburban sprawl is a critical investment the Shapiro Administration is making along with farm families and county and local governments to feed our families, and our economy, and our future together.”
These easement purchases multiply the impact of Pennsylvania dollars invested in conservation initiatives, including the $154 million Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), Clean & Green tax incentives, $13 million in Resource Enhancement and Protection tax credits, and historic levels of support for Pennsylvania farmers who are conserving and enhancing the clean water and healthy soil they need to be productive in the future.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s bipartisan 2024-25 budget includes new investments in agriculture innovation and conservation to keep Pennsylvania a national leader, including a new $10 million Agriculture Innovation and Conservation Fund, plus $35 million in new dollars for ACAP, and another $5 million for the Nutrient Management fund.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farmland. Since 1988, when voters overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,422 farms and 641,908 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.7 billion in state, county, and local funds.
The state partners with county, and sometimes local government and nonprofits to purchase development rights, 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.
