Two family farms in Franklin County are among the 3,187 acres on 29 farms in 17 counties in the state that will be protected from residential or commercial development through a state program. The total investment in farm preservation statewide this year is $12 million.
In Franklin County, the total investment is $258,223, with $91,847 in state money and $166,376 from the county, state officials noted. The two local farms include a 58-acre crop farm in Peters Township owned by Jeffrey Scott and Tracy Lynn Grove, and the Paul E. Witter Farm #2, a 42-acre crop farm in Southampton Township.
“Pennsylvania has some of the most productive farmland in the nation,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “When that land is lost to development, we lose one of our most valuable economic assets. The Shapiro administration continues to stand up for Pennsylvania’s farmers by supporting the contributions they have made to seal our reputation as a national leader, and by investing to protect and improve the resources they need tomorrow, and the innovations that will keep Pennsylvania on top.”
Below are the other area farms getting funding:
- Adams County – Total investment – $691,866; state – $624,258; county – $67,608. Diane G. and Ronald I. Resh Farm #3, 50-acre crop farm, Huntington Township. Ervin L. and Audrey M. Ridinger Farm, 179-acre crop farm, Butler Township.
- Cumberland County – Total investment – $2,319,992; state only. Gordon and Amy Holl Farm, 600-acre crop farm, Lower Mifflin and Upper Frankford Townships.
- York County – Total investment – $1,080,421; state – $1,028,743; county – $51,678. Maple Spring Farms Partnership Farm #5, 15-acre crop farm, Lower Chanceford Township. Maple Spring Farms Partnership Farm #6, 134-acre crop farm, Chanceford Township. Shane K. and Kristi L. Taylor Farm #1, 155-acre crop farm, Lower Chanceford Township.
Pennsylvania teams up with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights for preservation. This helps farmer know that their farms will not be sold to developers.
