Shapiro Administration Preserves More Farms in Pennsylvania Than Any Other State in the Nation

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Talview Dairy Farm in Lebanon County to celebrate a major milestone in Pennsylvania’s history the preservation of more than 6,600 farms and 650,000 acres of farmland for agricultural use across the Commonwealth, the most farms of any state in the nation. The Farmland Preservation Program(opens in a new tab) is a collaborative effort between state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, united in the goal of preserving prime farmland for future generations.

At Talview Dairy, the Governor also reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to the farmers, growers, and producers who feed our families and power our economy, highlighting Pennsylvania’s national leadership in farmland preservation and agricultural innovation.

The Copenhaver family, who operate Talview Dairy, represent the sixth generation to farm this land. They are one of the thousands of families who have partnered with state and local governments to permanently protect Pennsylvania farmland from development ensuring that productive agricultural land remains available for future generations.

Since Governor Shapiro took office, Pennsylvania has invested more than $140 million to preserve 472 new farms and 39,273 acres of prime farmland across the Commonwealth. Just last week, the Commonwealth invested(opens in a new tab) over $5.7 million to protect 2,079 acres on 24 farms in 14 counties, ensuring those farms will remain farms forever.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms with 6,621 farms and 658,681 acres protected across 58 counties since voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Commonwealth’s Farmland Preservation Program(opens in a new tab) in 1988. To date, Pennsylvania has invested more than $1.78 billion in partnership with county and local governments to safeguard agricultural land from sprawl and development.

“A farm is the highest and best use of land,” said Secretary Redding. “When farmland is sold to become warehouses or housing developments, it’s gone forever. By preserving high-quality farmland, we’re keeping a promise to future generations that Pennsylvania will continue to feed our nation and strengthen our economy.”

“Preserving farms by buying development rights is one of the most powerful tools we have to ensure the future of our state economy,” said Bureau of Farmland Preservation Director Stephanie Zimmerman. “‘No farms, no food’ is the simplest way of putting it. We do the critical work of protecting Pennsylvania farms every day, hand-in-hand with county and local governments and Pennsylvania farm families.”

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy contributing $132 billion annually and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs. Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, the Commonwealth has made historic investments to strengthen the agriculture sector, spur innovation, protect against animal disease, and ensure farming remains a viable career for the next generation.

Through the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)(opens in a new tab), more than 2,000 Pennsylvania farmers have received financial and technical support to adopt conservation practices that improve water and soil health strengthening both their operations and the environment.

The Copenhaver family’s preserved farm is a testament to how these investments make a difference. With support from the state’s farmland preservation program, as well as the Center for Dairy Excellenceand Penn State Extension, the family has built a more secure future for their business and for the next generation of Pennsylvania farmers.

“We’re not just securing the future of farming for the next generation — we’re preserving green space, protecting our agricultural heritage, and keeping local food, local jobs, and community at the heart of our economy,” said Brent Copenhaver, Owner of Talview Dairy Farm. “When you protect a farm, you’re not only saving open space you’re safeguarding the values, work ethic, and opportunities that farms pass down from generation to generation.”

“Lebanon County has preserved approximately 22,000 acres of farmland since the inception of its Ag Land Preservation Program and has 2,000 additional acres currently in process of preservation,” said Lebanon County Farm Preservation Board Chairman Paul Bametzreider. “The people of Lebanon County are one with the land of the county and are very grateful to the Commonwealth and the Department of Agriculture for all their assistance in helping meet this goal.”

Delivering for Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Economy

Agriculture is a key sector of Pennsylvania’s economy, contributing $132 billion annually and supporting over 600,000 jobs. Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, the Commonwealth has made historic investments in Pennsylvania agriculture:

• Created the first statewide Economic Development Strategy(opens in a new tab) in nearly two decades with agriculture at the forefront
   
• Fully funded the PA Farm Bill at $13.8 million annually — supporting workforce development, processing expansion, and market access
   
• Invested $1 million to launch the Organic Center of Excellence, empowering organic farmers and establishing the PA Preferred Organic™ brand
   
• Launched the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program(opens in a new tab), securing $10 million in the 2024-25 budget. In its first year, the Shapiro Administration provided grants(opens in a new tab) to 88 farms and organizations in 45 counties
   
• Set aside over $65 million to mitigate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, supporting poultry farmers and disease monitoring