Pennsylvania is investing nearly $8.8 million to purchase development rights for 1,775 acres on 22 farms in 16 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development and continuing the Administration’s support of one of Pennsylvania’s key industries.
“The farm families we are investing in today have remained resilient and committed to the noble work of growing the food that helps feed their neighbors — and we are proud to help ensure that their family legacies are imbedded into our agriculture heritage for generations to come,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
Among the farm families choosing to preserve their land are the Ickes family in Cumberland County and the Wisler family in Bucks County.
John and Joel Ickes preserved their farm in Penn Township, adding to an established block of protected farmland that now totals 518 contiguous acres. Their property becomes the 33rd farm preserved in the township.
The Wisler family preserved a 17.39-acre crop farm in Bedminster Township, Bucks County. The property is the third farm preserved by Thomas Wisler, who also owns an adjacent 90-acre preserved farm and a separate 28-acre county-preserved property, further expanding the area of permanently protected farmland in Bedminster Township.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms. Since 1988, when voters statewide overwhelmingly supported creating the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,726 farms and 667,360 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.84 billion in state, county, and local funds.
