Four Chester County farms are being preserved from development as part of Pennsylvania’s efforts to preserve green spaces and protect agriculture, writes Maggie Mancini for PhillyVoice. 

Overall, 35 farms were selected statewide to collectively receive $8.64 million from the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. This initiative helps farmers conserve resources, buy equipment, manage property, and grow their businesses. 

The four farms from Chester County are all family-owned. They will jointly receive $559,757 in state and county funding. 

Farms that are receiving the funding are Luke A. Allen Farm in Upper Oxford Township, a 68-acre horse farm, Kathleen M. Anderson Farm in Elk Township, a 16-acre horse farm, the Neil J. and Alice E. DeBonaventura Farm in West Fallowfield Township, a 40-acre crop and livestock farm, and Gail A. Emerson Farm in West Fallowfield Township, a 13-acre horse farm. 

The Farmland Preservation Program allows the state to partner with local and county governments to acquire farm development rights and ensure the properties will remain farmland. 

“Families who preserve their farms join forces with government, investing together to ensure that future Pennsylvania families will have green spaces and healthy farmland available to produce food, income, and jobs,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. 

Read more about the preservation efforts in PhillyVoice. 

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