The Shapiro Administration said that Pennsylvania is spending more than $9.9 million to buy development rights for 2,654 acres on 30 farms in 14 counties. This will keep these lands from being used for residential or business development in the future.
The Shapiro Administration says that these purchases will make sure that farmers all over the state have the good land they need to keep creating jobs and helping communities.
Ag Secretary Russell Redding said, “Pennsylvania is a great place to do business.” Because we are close to ports, interstates, railroads, and 40% of the U.S. population, farmers have to deal with much competition from investors who want to buy their land. Along with farm families and county and local governments, the Shapiro Administration is making a big investment to feed our families, our economy, and our future. They are saving fertile fields for growing food instead of losing it to warehouses and suburban sprawl.
The government says that these purchases increase the effect of Pennsylvania dollars spent on conservation projects. The Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which has a budget of $154 million, the Resource Enhancement and Protection tax credits, which have a budget of $13 million, and the Clean and Green tax benefits are some of these programs.
These purchases will also help Pennsylvania farmers who are protecting and improving clean water and healthy soil even more.
Pennsylvania has the most protected farms in the country. The Shapiro Administration says that since the program’s start in 1988, it has kept 6,422 farms and 641,908 acres in 58 counties from being built on in the future.
The state will buy the rights to develop land, keeping it from being sold to developers.