Pennsylvania reaches record with over 6,600 farms preserved for agriculture

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding marked a milestone at Talview Dairy Farm in Lebanon County, announcing that Pennsylvania has preserved more than 6,600 farms and 650,000 acres of farmland for agricultural use. This achievement makes Pennsylvania the leading state in the nation for the number of preserved farms.

The Farmland Preservation Program, a joint initiative involving state and local governments as well as nonprofit organizations, aims to protect prime farmland for future generations.

During the event, Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of the milestone. "With today's milestone, Pennsylvania has helped preserve more than 6,600 farms - more than any other state in the nation," said Governor Shapiro. "That means our family farms can stay farms forever - preserving this way of life and creating more opportunity for multigenerational farmers like the Copenhavers, who are a central part of Pennsylvania's economy. Agriculture plays an essential role in the economic future of our Commonwealth and by investing in preservation, innovation, and conservation - we're making sure that this critical sector remains one of Pennsylvania's strongest industries for generations to come."

The preservation program is seen as a key part of the state's agricultural strategy, supporting farmers, growers, and producers. The event at Talview Dairy included remarks from local and state agricultural leaders, including Stephanie Zimmerman, Director of the PA Bureau of Farmland Preservation, Brent Copenhaver, owner of Talview Dairy Farm, Paul Bametzreider, Chairman of the Lebanon County Preservation Board, and Sarah Firestone, State President of Future Farmers of America.