The Shapiro Administration recently invested more than $5.7 million to purchase development rights for 2,079 acres on 24 farms in 14 counties, including Chester County. 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.”
Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget recognizes that agriculture isn’t just part of Pennsylvania’s heritage – it’s key to our economic future. Nearly fifty thousand farms across Pennsylvania contribute $132.5 billion to our economy and support almost 600,000 jobs, making agriculture a key driver of Pennsylvania’s economy.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms. Since 1988, when voters statewide overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, 6,621 farms and 658,681 acres in 58 counties have been protected 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.
In Chester County, two farms were preserved from development. The total investment was $196,159, with $15,509 coming from the state and $180,650 from the county.
Gaye A. Bergstrom is a 20-acre equine farm in Upper Oxford and West Fallowfield Townships that was preserved. Louise W. Hendriks, a 19-acre equine farm in East Marlborough Township, was also protected.
