Pennsylvania is securing more farms under it’s nationally recognized Farmland Preservation Program. The state has announced that this year 351 farms have been protected.
“Once again, we’ve shown our commitment to the future of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry with the preservation of another 5,234 acres of quality farmland for a total of 33,445 acres this year,” Governor Edward G. Rendell said. “In addition to safeguarding the land, we are also preserving the proud tradition of farming, our state’s number one industry.”
Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of farms and acres preserved. Since the program began in 1988, a total of 377,910 acres on 3,339 farms have been protected.
Pennsylvania allocated nearly $40 million this year for the preservation program, including $4 million from Growing Greener II, Governor Rendell’s initiative that supports environmental programs in the state. County programs contributed $37 million in matching funds to protect quality farmland from development and non-agricultural uses. Combined, this $77 million can preserve an additional 38,500 acres or more than 300 farms.
“Looking ahead, we expect another good year for preservation in 2008 as we celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary,” said Wolff. “With the help of Governor Rendell, we anticipate reaching the 3,500 farm and 400,000 acre milestones.”