Pennsylvania is investing nearly $7.1 million to purchase development rights for 1,905 acres on 25 farms in 17 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development.
“Farmland tells the story of Pennsylvania, of generations who worked the land, cared for its resources, and built communities that endure,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
In 2025, Pennsylvania preserved 167 farms and 14,147 prime acres of farmland across the state, investing more than $50.1 million. These joint investments by state and local governments ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs.
Through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program, the state partners with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights to preserve farmland, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security. By selling development rights, farm owners ensure their farms remain in agricultural production and are never sold to developers.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms. Since 1988, when voters statewide overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,673 farms and 662,940 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.84 billion in state, county, and local funds.
Farms preserved include:
Adams County – Total investment – $321,089; state-only
Daniel R. Trimmer, 105-acre crop farm, Hamilton Township
Beaver County – Total investment – $234,140; state-only
William McNary, Jr. and Deborah K. McNary, 62-acre crop and livestock farm, Hanover Township
Berks County – Total investment – $133,820; state – $24,399; county – $109,421
Lou W. Gougler, 44-acre crop and livestock farm, Tilden Township
Butler County – Total investment – $188,829; state – $186,729; county – $2,100
Frank C. Ruckdeschel Jr. and Margaret A. Ruckdeschel, Trustees of the Ruckdeschel Family Real Estate Trust, 43-acre crop and livestock farm, Buffalo Township
Carbon County – Total investment – $206,544; state – $156,933; county – $49,611
John Michael and Diane M. Strockoz, 27-acre crop farm, East Penn Township
Centre County – Total investment – $166,685; state – $141,685; county – $25,000
Leo E. and Bernard L. Corl #2, 42-acre crop farm, Benner Township
Crawford County – Total investment – $16,058; state – $16,057; county – $1
Stephen L. Mandl, 125-acre dairy farm, West Shenango Township
Cumberland County – Total investment – $640,084; state – $446,832; county – $193,252
Reza G. Azizkhan, 49-acre crop farm, Monroe Township
S. Richard Brenneman, 113-acre crop farm, South Middleton Township
Dauphin County – Total investment – $362,978; state-only
Norman S. Beiler Jr. and Malinda K. Beiler, 78-acre crop farm, Upper Paxton Township
Daniel P. Bolton #1, 97-acre crop farm, Upper Paxton Township
Lancaster County – Total investment – $439,760; state – $202,080; county – $187,680; Penn Township – $50,000
Michael L. and Kelly D. Cassel #2, 59-acre crop farm, Penn Township
Donegal Farms, 46-acre crop farm, East Donegal Township
Lebanon County – Total investment – $846,661; state – $593,470; county – $253,191
Kirby L. and Sheryl A. Horst, 111-acre poultry farm, Millcreek Township
John P. and Ricki L. Light, 151-acre poultry farm, Swatara Township
Steve L. and Kendra J. Musser, 70-acre crop farm, North Annville Township
Lehigh County – Total investment – $1,655,712; state – $1,401,942; county – $14,994; Weisenberg Township – $16,370; North Whitehall Township – $189,658; Heidelberg Township – $32,748
Joseph F. Sivel Jr. and Karen E. Sivel, 81-acre miscellaneous crop farm, Weisenberg Township
Kenneth P. and Heather J. Skorinko #1, 83-acre crop and livestock farm, North Whitehall Township
Earl O. Zellner Jr. and Kelly A. Zellner #2, 62-acre crop and livestock farm, Heidelberg and Washington Townships
Luzerne County – Total investment – $291,907; state-only
David M. Potkey, 79-acre crop farm, Sugarloaf Township
Northampton County – Total investment – $843,740; state – $633,050; county – $210,690
Connie A. Muschko and Kay L. Adams, 77-acre crop farm, Lehigh Township
Connie A. Muschko and Kay L. Adams #2, 23-acre crop farm, Lehigh Township
Schuylkill County – Total investment – $163,580; state – $98,580; county – $65,000
James D. and Tammie L. Dunn #1, 76-acre crop farm, West Penn Township
Somerset County – Total investment – $187,104; state – $181,635; county – $5,469
Tim E., Thomas E., and Suzanne K. Bell, 125-acre crop and livestock farm, Somerset Township
Westmoreland County – Total investment – $386,240; state-only
Sam J. and Mary Faith Stoner, 64-acre crop and livestock farm, Unity Township
