Five Lehigh Valley farms, totaling 142 acres, will be preserved under a state investment program that protects them from future residential or commercial development.<\/p>\n
Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s office announced Friday that more than 2,565 acres on 34 farms in 16 counties were part of a $9.1 million investment in state, county and local funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting farmland is critical to preserving the quality of life that makes the Lehigh Valley such a special place to live,\u201d said state Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh. \u201cAs our communities continue to grow, we need to be intentional about protecting open space and productive farmland. This investment will permanently preserve these two Northampton County farms, support our agricultural economy and ensure this land remains available for farming for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting farmland is an investment in the future of our communities and our commonwealth,\u201d said state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-Lehigh.<\/p>\n
Two Lehigh County farms received an investment of $474,518, with $342,458 coming from the state, $127,800 from the county and $4,260 from Weisenberg Township. They are:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jeffrey Broadhurst\u2019s 21-acre crop farm in Weisenberg Township.<\/p>\n
\u2022 County of Lehigh No. 2, a 53-acre crop farm in Upper Milford Township.<\/p>\n
Three Northampton County farms received an investment of $634,303, with $402,967 from the state, $10,000 from the county and $221,336 from Plainfield Township. They are:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Anna L. Eckensberger and Gay L. Perkins\u2019 15-acre crop farm in Allen Township.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Huratiak Homes LLC, a 35-acre crop farm in Plainfield Township.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jendy Sell\u2019s 18-acre beef farm in Lehigh Township.<\/p>\n