Pa. preserves farmland in Mahantongo Valley, Numidia
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A combine harvester is seen working a field in Pattersonville, Union Township on Oct. 18, 2024.
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced Thursday the preservation of 84 acres of farmland in the Mahantongo Valley and near Numidia.
They are the nearest of 19 investments totaling $6.7 Million to preserve farmland from future development statewide.
“Food security is national security,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Farmers face fierce competition from developers seeking to buy their land, and saving that land to produce food is one of the most important things we can do to ensure that we can keep feeding Pennsylvania and the world.”
Pennsylvania is investing $5,031 along with $36,780 from Schuylkill County to preserve an 18-acre crop farm in Eldred Township, owned by the Frank Kreywiski Estate.
In Columbia County, the state is spending $85,554 on its own to preserve a 66-acre crop and livestock farm in Locust Township, owned by Joyce Ranie LeVan.
The easement purchases, the state says, multiplies the impact of Pennsylvania dollars invested in conservation initiatives.
The state partners with county, and sometimes local government and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security. By selling development rights, farm owners ensure that their farms will remain productive farms and never be sold to developers.
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