Shapiro Admin Preserves Extra Farms in PA Than Any Different State within the Nation

Lebanon, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Talview Dairy Farm in Lebanon County to rejoice a significant milestone in Pennsylvania’s historical past — the preservation of greater than 6,600 farms and 650,000 acres of farmland for agricultural use throughout the Commonwealth, the most farms of any state within the nation. The Farmland Preservation Program is a collaborative effort between state and native governments and nonprofit organizations, united within the aim of preserving prime farmland for future generations.

At Talview Dairy, the Governor additionally reaffirmed his Administration’s dedication to the farmers, growers, and producers who feed our households and energy our financial system, highlighting Pennsylvania’s nationwide management in farmland preservation and agricultural innovation.

“With today’s milestone, Pennsylvania has helped preserve more than 6,600 farms — more than any other state in the nation,” mentioned Governor Shapiro. “That means our family farms can stay farms forever — preserving this way of life and creating more opportunity for multigenerational farmers like the Copenhavers, who are a central part of Pennsylvania’s economy. Agriculture plays an essential role in the economic future of our Commonwealth and by investing in preservation, innovation, and conservation — we’re making sure that this critical sector remains one of Pennsylvania’s strongest industries for generations to come.”

The Copenhaver household, who function Talview Dairy, symbolize the sixth era to farm this land. They are one of many 1000’s of households who’ve partnered with state and native governments to completely defend Pennsylvania farmland from growth — guaranteeing that productive agricultural land stays accessible for future generations.

Since Governor Shapiro took workplace, Pennsylvania has invested greater than $140 million to protect 472 new farms and 39,273 acres of prime farmland throughout the Commonwealth. Just final week, the Commonwealth invested over $5.7 million to guard 2,079 acres on 24 farms in 14 counties, guaranteeing these farms will stay farms eternally.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms — with 6,621 farms and 658,681 acres protected throughout 58 counties since voters overwhelmingly authorised the creation of the Commonwealth’s Farmland Preservation Program in 1988. To date, Pennsylvania has invested greater than $1.78 billion in partnership with county and native governments to safeguard agricultural land from sprawl and growth.

“A farm is the highest and best use of land,” mentioned Secretary Redding. “When farmland is sold to become warehouses or housing developments, it’s gone forever. By preserving high-quality farmland, we’re keeping a promise to future generations that Pennsylvania will continue to feed our nation and strengthen our economy.”

“Preserving farms by buying development rights is one of the most powerful tools we have to ensure the future of our state economy,” mentioned Bureau of Farmland Preservation Director Stephanie Zimmerman. “‘No farms, no food’ is the simplest way of putting it. We do the critical work of protecting Pennsylvania farms every day, hand-in-hand with county and local governments and Pennsylvania farm families.”

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s financial system — contributing $132 billion yearly and supporting practically 600,000 jobs. Under Governor Shapiro’s management, the Commonwealth has made historic investments to strengthen the agriculture sector, spur innovation, defend in opposition to animal illness, and guarantee farming stays a viable profession for the following era.

Through the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), greater than 2,000 Pennsylvania farmers have acquired monetary and technical assist to undertake conservation practices that enhance water and soil well being — strengthening each their operations and the surroundings.

The Copenhaver household’s preserved farm is a testomony to how these investments make a distinction. With assist from the state’s farmland preservation program, in addition to the Center for Dairy Excellenceand Penn State Extension, the household has constructed a safer future for his or her enterprise and for the following era of Pennsylvania farmers.

“We’re not just securing the future of farming for the next generation — we’re preserving green space, protecting our agricultural heritage, and keeping local food, local jobs, and community at the heart of our economy,” mentioned Brent Copenhaver, Owner of Talview Dairy Farm. “When you protect a farm, you’re not only saving open space — you’re safeguarding the values, work ethic, and opportunities that farms pass down from generation to generation.”

“Lebanon County has preserved approximately 22,000 acres of farmland since the inception of its Ag Land Preservation Program and has 2,000 additional acres currently in process of preservation,” mentioned Lebanon County Farm Preservation Board Chairman Paul Bametzreider. “The people of Lebanon County are one with the land of the county and are very grateful to the Commonwealth and the Department of Agriculture for all their assistance in helping meet this goal.”

Delivering for Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Economy

Agriculture is a key sector of Pennsylvania’s financial system, contributing $132 billion yearly and supporting over 600,000 jobs. Under Governor Shapiro’s management, the Commonwealth has made historic investments in Pennsylvania agriculture:

• Created the primary statewide Economic Development Strategy in practically twenty years with agriculture on the forefront
• Fully funded the PA Farm Bill at $13.8 million yearly — supporting workforce growth, processing enlargement, and market entry
• Invested $1 million to launch the Organic Center of Excellence, empowering natural farmers and establishing the PA Preferred Organic™ model
• Launched the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, securing $10 million within the 2024-25 finances. In its first 12 months, the Shapiro Administration offered grants to 88 farms and organizations in 45 counties
• Set apart over $65 million to mitigate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, supporting poultry farmers and illness monitoring
• Established a state-of-the-art animal well being lab in Western Pennsylvania to boost illness testing and biosecurity
• Expanded the Fresh Food Financing Initiative with $2 million to extend entry to native meals and assist small companies
• Invested $35 million to proceed Clean Streams Fund assist for Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)

In his 2025-26 proposed finances, Governor Shapiro has known as for added investments, together with:

• $13 million extra for the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program
• $4 million enlargement of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System
• $4 million improve to the State Food Purchase Program
• $2 million to completely function the brand new state animal diagnostic lab

The Shapiro Administration has additionally taken motion to defend Pennsylvania farmers when the federal authorities unlawfully terminated the $13 million Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program, which helps 189 Pennsylvania farms and 14 native meals banks. The Commonwealth has taken the matter to federal courtroom, the place a ruling is pending.

Governor Shapiro’s management is guaranteeing Pennsylvania stays a nationwide chief in agriculture — constructing a extra resilient agricultural financial system, safeguarding the meals provide, and securing a affluent future for Pennsylvania’s farming communities.

Learn extra about Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program and investments in a safe, sustainable future for Pennsylvania agriculture at agriculture.pa.gov.

Learn extra concerning the Governor’s commonsense investments within the 2025-26 proposed finances at shapirobudget.pa.gov and the way the Shapiro Administration is supporting Pennsylvania’s farmers.