HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Northampton County farm has been preserved as part of a more than $6.9 million statewide effort to ward off development and protect open spaces.
A 31-acre crop farm owned by Kevin Brent and Denise M. and Brayden W. McEwen in Lower Mt. Bethel Township was the latest to be included in the commonwealth’s Farmland Preservation Program.
It also included more than two dozen others across the state, according to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Agriculture.
The total investment was $230,944, including $17,131 in state funding and $213,812 from the county.
“Through farmland preservation, we ensure Pennsylvania’s farming community remains the backbone of our state’s economy and an irreplaceable resource that benefits our environment, crop and livestock industries, rural communities, and grocery shoppers.”Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton/Lehigh
“Once again, working collaboratively, the commonwealth and Northampton County have made this investment to ensure another 31 acres of farmland will continue to benefit our region and our commonwealth,” state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton/Lehigh, said in a news release.
“Preserving farmland to ensure that it is available to farm for future generations by protecting it from future development is critically important for our region’s quality of life.
“Through farmland preservation, we ensure Pennsylvania’s farming community remains the backbone of our state’s economy and an irreplaceable resource that benefits our environment, crop and livestock industries, rural communities and grocery shoppers.”
‘Resources that feed and sustain all of us’
Through the program, farmers sell their development rights to the state Land Preservation Board, protecting the land from any future residential or commercial development.
Twenty-seven farms across the state were preserved in this latest round, totaling 2,354 acres in 13 counties. No Lehigh County farms were included in this round.
"High-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable economic assets."Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
“Protecting farmland isn’t just about preserving open space; it’s about safeguarding the resources that feed and sustain all of us,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
“High-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable economic assets.
“Through the newly enacted 2025–26 budget, the Shapiro Administration is once again delivering real results for Pennsylvania agriculture, investing to protect our priceless land, water and soil resources, supporting the next generation of farmers, and funding the innovation and infrastructure that will keep Pennsylvania’s farms strong and competitive for decades to come.”
Since 1988, when the state’s Farmland Preservation Program was approved by voters, the commonwealth has protected 6,648 farms and 661,035 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.84 billion in state, county and local funds.
