- The state Department of Agriculture announced its latest round of farm preservations
- Two Lehigh County farms were included
- This latest round cost the state and counties $3.5 million
LYNN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two township farms have been preserved as part of a $3.5 million statewide effort to ward off development and protect open spaces.
"Prime farmland and fertile soil are critical not just for feeding our families, but for feeding our economy," said Russell Redding, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture. "Pennsylvania farm families who preserve their farms partner with government to ensure that all Pennsylvania families will have green spaces and healthy farmland available to produce food, income and jobs."
The state bought development rights to David A. and Barbara J. Rauch Farm, a 14-acre crop farm, and the Daniel L. and Victoria E. Watt Farm, a 12-acre crop and livestock farm, through the Farmland Preservation Program, according to a news release from the state Department of Agriculture.
More than a dozen other farms across the commonwealth were included in this latest round of preservation, totaling more than 1,336 acres and costing $3.1 million from the state and $433,433 from county coffers.
Between both Lehigh County farms, the state and county spent just shy of $245,000 and $91,100, respectively, for the development rights.Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture news release
Between both Lehigh County farms, the state and county spent just shy of $245,000 and $91,100, respectively, for the development rights, according to the release.
“Pennsylvania partners with county, and sometimes local government and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security,” officials said. “By selling their land's development rights, farm owners ensure that their farms will remain farms and never be sold to developers.”
The most recent round of preservation only included two Lehigh County farms, and none from Northampton County. However, less than two months ago, more than 100 acres, across both counties, were preserved.
Since 1988, when the state’s Farmland Preservation Program was approved by voters, the commonwealth has protected 6,284 farms and 630,302 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.68 billion in state, county and local funds.
