HARRISBURG, Pa. — Six Lehigh Valley farms will be protected from development in the latest round of Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation program.
They’re part of the nearly $10 million allocated by the state to buy development rights for 35 farms in 18 counties.
The 35 farms total almost 2,700 acres.
“Preserving Pennsylvania farmland is an investment in the future of our economy and farm families,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in a news release. “When that land is lost to development, we lose one of our most valuable economic assets.”
Of those 35 farms, three are in Northampton County and three are in Lehigh County.
The state’s $9,993,033 portion to purchase 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:
- Joseph and Barbara Lobb, a 26-acre crop farm in Washington Township;
- Roger C.H. and Trudy P. Unangst, a 10-acre fruit and vegetable farm in East Allen Township; and,
- Warren Walker Jr. and Christine Ann Walker, a 33-acre crop farm in Moore Township.
The county invested $515,808 and the state $21,331 for a total of $537,139 to purchase development rights for all three properties, the Department of Agriculture said.
Farms approved in Lehigh County included:
- Larry L. Grim, a 58-acre crop farm in Heidelberg and Lynn townships;
- Michael P. and Abigail A. Gross, a 66-acre crop farm in Lynn Township; and,
- Matthew J. Zimmerman and Farrah L. Metzger, a 13-acre crop and livestock farm in Heidelberg Township.
Money allocated there, according to the state, included $723,168 in state funds, $29,860 in county money, and $72,362 and $3,650 from Heidelberg and Lynn townships, respectively. The total for the three Lehigh County farms came to $829,040.
“When that land is lost to development, we lose one of our most valuable economic assets.”Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Under the farmland preservation program, the state partners with local governments and nonprofits to purchase 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 6,564 farms and 654,551 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing nearly $1.76 billion in state, county and local funds, according to the state.
