Announcements and Updates

The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania protected 2,038 acres on 22 farms in 13 counties from future residential or commercial development.

$6.4 Million Invested to Protect Berks, Blair, Chester, Dauphin, Fayette, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Northampton, Schuylkill, York County Farms

GK Wilt Farm

Pennsylvania's rich agricultural heritage and commitment to conservation took the spotlight today at 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show as Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recognized nine Pennsylvania families for their contributions to the commonwealth's agriculture industry.

Today, Pennsylvania protected 2,569 acres on 30 farms in 18 counties from future development, investing more than $7.2 million in state, county and township dollars. In 2021, Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program, which leads the nation, approved 166 conservation easements covering 14,397 acres that will permanently remain productive farms.

Following months of hyper-focus on the availability of food, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined by Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Richard Roush and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Executive Director for Field Operations Carlos Martinez at Cherry Hill Orchards, where they urged Pennsylvanians to act now against the Spotted Lanternfly for the sake of food security.

Today, the Wolf Administration announced the availability of $59 million in Beginning Farmer Tax Credits over the next decade for those who sell or rent agricultural land, livestock, equipment, buildings or other assets to qualified beginning farmers.