HARRISBURG, Pa. — Nine Lehigh Valley farms will be protected from development in the latest round of Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation program.
They’re part of the nearly $9 million allocated by the state to buy development rights for 33 farms in 16 counties. The 33 farms total 2,017 acres.
“When farms are replaced by warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever,” state Agriculture Department Secretary Russell Redding said.
“Productive, high-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable natural resources and economic assets.”
Of those 33 farms, five are in Northampton County and four in Lehigh County.
The state’s $8.8 million portion to buy development rights was authorized this week by the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to the Department of Agriculture. Participating counties also contributed.
Approvals in Northampton County included:
- Thomas R. and JoLynn Engler, a 49-acre crop farm in Plainfield Township;
- The estate of Evelyn I. Spengler, a 37-acre crop farm in East Allen Township;
- Jacob R. and Amanda M. Klein, a 16-acre crop farm in Forks Township;
- James R. Poliskiewicz Jr., a 41-acre crop farm in Upper Mount Bethel Township; and,
- Roger C. and Trudy P. Unangst, a 50-acre crop farm in East Allen Township.
The county invested $659,826 and the state $1,287,010 for a total of $1,946,836 to purchase development rights for all five properties, the Department of Agriculture said.
Never be sold to developers
Farms approved in Lehigh County included:
- Kevin W. and Kelly Ebert, a 47-acre horse farm in Heidelberg Township;
- Dennis J.W. and Kathleen A. Haas, a 32-acre miscellaneous crop farm in Lowhill Township;
- Adam and Daniel Marsteller, a 27-acre crop farm in Upper Milford Township; and,
- George D. and Dawn M. Schmidt, a 34-acre fruit and vegetable farm in Heidelberg Township.
Money allocated there, according to the state, included $394,393 in state funds, $500,759 in county money, and $82,570 from Heidelberg Township. The total for the four Lehigh County farms came to $977,722.
“When farms are replaced by warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever.”Russell Redding, Pennsylvania agriculture secretary
Under the farmland preservation program, the state partners with local governments and nonprofits to buy development rights for preservation.
By selling development rights, farm owners ensure that their farms will remain productive farms and never be sold to developers.
Redding said Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farmland since voters approved the program in 1988.
Pennsylvania has protected 6,597 farms and 656,568 acres in 58 counties from development, investing nearly $1.76 billion in state, county and local funds, according to the state.
