(WHTM) — State officials this week announced that numerous farms statewide, including many in our area, will remain farms for generations to come.<\/p>\n
The State Agricultural Land Preservation Board approved conservation easements in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties in our area.<\/p>\n
Statewide, they are investing $9.1 million to purchase the development rights for 2,565 acres on 34 farms in 16 counties.<\/p>\n
“Pennsylvania leads the nation in farmland preservation because farm families, communities, and the Commonwealth are working together to protect the land that feeds us,”\u00a0Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding\u00a0said. “The families who committed to preserving their farms today show what that commitment looks like \u2014 strengthening agricultural communities while protecting prime soil as a resource for farming.”<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program\u00a0is a state partnership\u00a0with local and county governments and sometimes nonprofits to purchase development rights to protect prime farmland permanently, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security.<\/p>\n
Conservation easements, commonly known as development rights, become part of the property’s deed and stay with the land even if the farm changes owners.<\/p>\n
By selling development rights, farm owners ensure that their farms remain in agricultural production and are never sold to developers.<\/p>\n
Preserving the 190-acre John and Cynthia Clouse Farm in Cumberland County will create a nearly 800-acre cluster of federally preserved farmland in a high-priority area of the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape.<\/p>\n
Local farms preserved are as follows:<\/p>\n
Adams County<\/p>\n
Todd A. Durboraw, 169-acre crop and livestock farm, Cumberland Township<\/p>\n
Cumberland County<\/p>\n
John L. and Cynthia K. Clouse, 190-acre crop and livestock farm, Upper Frankford and Lower Mifflin Townships<\/p>\n
John A. Dyarman #2, 39-acre crop farm, West Pennsboro Township<\/p>\n
Dauphin County<\/p>\n
Catherine A. Barrick, 37-acre crop and livestock farm, Jefferson Township<\/p>\n
Eric A. and Renee K. Enders, 88-acre crop and livestock farm, Halifax Township<\/p>\n
Barbara L. Glick, 83-acre crop farm, Jackson Township<\/p>\n
Franklin County<\/p>\n
John B. and Pamela J. Schnebly, 139-acre crop and livestock farm, Montgomery Township<\/p>\n
Lancaster County<\/p>\n
Jean E. Alvisi, 59-acre crop farm, East Cocalico Township<\/p>\n
Joel L. and Kimberly K. Brandt, 40-acre crop farm, Mount Joy Township<\/p>\n
Jeffrey P. and Kay L. Diehl, 23-acre crop farm, Manor Township<\/p>\n
Ralph Mark and Rebecca Jean Huber, 48-acre crop and livestock farm, Martic Township<\/p>\n
Herbert S., Darlene F., Scott J., and Vicki L. Kreider, 10-acre crop farm, East Drumore Township<\/p>\n
Dustin L. and Kelsey M. Martin, 61-acre crop farm, West Lampeter Township<\/p>\n
Dwight and Ashley Martin, 41-acre crop and livestock farm, East Donegal Township<\/p>\n
Scattered Acres Reinholds, 124-acre dairy farm, West Cocalico Township<\/p>\n
Smuckerland #2, 38-acre crop and livestock farm, Upper Leacock Township<\/p>\n
Dale L. and Mary E. Weiler, 90-acre crop and livestock farm, Caernarvon Township<\/p>\n
G. Anthony and Luann H. Zimmerman, 91-acre crop and livestock farm, Warwick Township<\/p>\n
Lebanon County<\/p>\n
Dale H. and Jolene R. Zimmerman, 114-acre dairy farm, Jackson Township<\/p>\n
York County<\/p>\n
Jason L. and Jenny S. Gross, 81-acre crop and livestock farm, Codorus Township<\/p>\n