Pennsylvania recently protected 2,264 acres on 32 farms in 18 counties — including the Jacob Lantz Farm in Honey Brook Township — from future development, having invested nearly $8.2 million in state, county, and local dollars to ensure that prime farmland is not lost to development.

The Jacob Lantz Farm is a a 56.6-acre crop, horse, and beef farm. Its state-only investment totaled $264,402.

This brings Pennsylvania’s total to 6,076 farms and 613,884 acres in 58 counties, now forever protected from commercial, industrial, or residential development. Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in the number of preserved farms, having invested more than $1.6 billion since 1988 to protect the state’s valuable farmland.

“Saving farmland protects the beauty and productivity of our state, the health of our environment, the vitality of our economy, and our ability to feed a growing population,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “It is not only one of the most important investments our state, federal, and local governments make together, it is a priority we all agree on.”   

Farm families often sell their land at below market value to ensure that it will remain farmland forever. Pennsylvania partners with county and sometimes local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security.