Pennsylvania Invests $8.8 Million to Ensure That 33 Farms, 2,017 Acres of Prime Farmland in 16 Counties Stay Farms Forever

The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania is investing more than $8.8 million to purchase development rights for 2,017 acres on 33 farms in 16 counties. The joint investment between state and local government protects the farms forever from residential or commercial development, ensuring that Pennsylvania farmers will have the high-quality land they need to continue feeding our families and supporting our economy.

Since the Shapiro Administration began, Pennsylvania has invested $134 million to preserve 448 new farms and 37,194 prime acres of farmland across the state.

“When farms are replaced by warehouses or housing developments, they are gone forever,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Productive, high-quality farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s most valuable natural resources and economic assets. The Shapiro Administration continues to stand up for Pennsylvania’s farmers, not just with words but with actions, investing to protect our priceless land, water, and soil resources, and fund the innovations that will keep Pennsylvania farmers competitive, and sustain their farms tomorrow.”

Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget recognizes that agriculture isn’t just part of Pennsylvania’s heritage – it’s key to our economic future. Nearly fifty thousand farms across Pennsylvania contribute $132.5 billion to our economy and support almost 600,000 jobs, making agriculture a key driver of Pennsylvania’s economy.

To continue Pennsylvania’s national legacy as an agriculture leader, the Governor’s 2025-26 budget proposes:

•  An additional $13 million in the historic Agricultural Innovation Grant to help build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania. In its first open application period, the Ag Innovation Grant was oversubscribed by nearly $60 million and received 159 applications for nearly $70 million worth of innovation projects. In February, Governor Shapiro announced investments in 88 ag businesses in 46 Pennsylvania counties, which are funding transformative, state-of-the-art agricultural technologies across Pennsylvania today.
• Investing $2 million to keep Pennsylvania’s new animal diagnostic laboratory in the western part of the state operational, providing critical testing services for farmers to ensure their livestock remain healthy and viable for continued farming operations.
• An additional $4 million to connect Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System.
• ·A $4 million increase to the State Food Purchase Program to provide emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians.

Today’s approved easement purchases will multiply the impact of Pennsylvania dollars invested in conservation initiatives, including the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP),  which is changing the landscape of rural PA. More than 2,000 Pennsylvania farmers have sought financial and technical support through ACAP to improve their management practices to have lasting impact not just on their farms, but on the entire region’s water and soil health. Increased funding for ACAP is reaching farmers across Pennsylvania who are eager for help funding their investments in the economic and environmental health of their farms.