Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Pennsylvania Preserves 21 Farms, 1,999 Acres from Development

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Pennsylvania Preserves 21 Farms, 1,999 Acres from Development
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 10/15/2021

Pennsylvania protected 1,999 acres on 21 farms in 13 counties Thursday through the state's nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program. Since 1988, the program has purchased permanent conservation easements on 5,949 Pennsylvania farms, covering 603,646 acres, in 58 counties, ensuring they will remain farms in the future.

"Farmland preservation provides a secure pathway for future generations to succeed," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "It ensures future agriculturalists have land to farm, and in return, consumers will have food on the table. Once farmland goes out of production, it rarely comes back, which is why farmland preservation is so important."

The 21 farms preserved today are in Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Erie, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, Tioga, Union and York counties. These farms include produce, crop and livestock operations.

THursday's purchases include:

- The Donald G. and Jane E. Dillner farm, a fourth-generation 79.35-acre fruit, vegetable and livestock operation located in West Deer Township, Allegheny County. Dillner Family Farms operates a community supported agriculture (CSA) program and farm market, providing fresh produce, eggs and meats to the Greater Pittsburgh area year-round.

- The Samuel Valone farm, a 45.39-acre vineyard located in North East Township, Erie County. The farm is in Erie County's grape and wine region next to two preserved vineyards, adding to a total of 3,246 acres of protected farmland in North East township.

- The AgKam LLC farm, a 160.12-acre beef operation located in Charleston Township, Tioga County. The farm is located outside of Wellsboro near the gateway to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and Scenic Route 6. Farmland in this scenic area is at risk of conversion to vacation homes and secondary residences.

Farms preserved and dollars invested, by county, can be viewed at www.media.pa.gov/pages/agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1143/

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