The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recently announced that more than $5.1 million was invested through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program to secure the future of 30 farms across the state. One of those preserved farms is located in Indiana County.
According to a news release, $183,156.56 of the state invested funds, and $25,000 in funds from Indiana County, went towards the preservation of the 82-acre Anthony G. Pizarchik crop farm located in Brush Valley Township.
In neighboring Westmoreland County, more than $9,300 in state funds was allocated towards preserving the A&J Donovan Farm.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Landing said that each preserved acre of state farmland “is an investment in the future,” and he credits farmers with resisting the pressure to sell and thinking of future generations.
Along with preserving farms, part of the investment will go towards fueling the nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program – a program that serves a common goal of saving prime farmland in Pennsylvania.
A full breakdown of farms aided by the invested funds can be found below:
Farms preserved and dollars invested, by county:
Allegheny County – total investment – $807,671.50, state only
The Carol Ann Bucar farm, a 150-acre livestock operation
Beaver County – total investment – $158,689.24 state; $49,847.24 county
Kevin & Kelly Caldwell farm #2, a 50-acre crop operation
Berks County – total investment – $217,998.87 state; $218,775 county
The Jeffrey L. & Amy L. Brown Farm, a 17-acre crop and livestock operation
The Richard C. & Kathleen Dietrich farm #2, an 89-acre crop operation
The Kenneth E. & Margaret D. Miller farm #1, a 66-acre crop and livestock operation
Joyce A. Schantz, surviving trustee of the Schantz Family Trust, a 37-acre crop operation
The Melanie Leigh Younker farm, a 58-acre crop and livestock operation.
Bucks County – total investment $249,420 state; $235,920 county; $78,640 Township; $39,320 nonprofit
The Felix J. & Beatrice M. Buehner Farm, a 39-acre crop operation
Butler County – total investment $370,435.67 state; $7,000 county
The James & Jo Ann Riddle farm #3, a 90-acre crop and livestock operation
Centre County – total investment $312,850.08 state, $50,000 county
The Pauline E. Cooper Estate, a 157-acre crop operation
Chester County – total investment $240,576.04 state, $22,3280 county
The Larry & David Newswanger farm, a 55-acre crop operation
The Zunino Partnership, a 27.91-acre crop operation
Cumberland County – total investment $248,413.25 state, $50,0000 county
The Ronald L. Tritt Farm, an 80-acre crop and livestock operation
Dauphin County – total investment $102,099.52 state only
The Michael Sweigard, farm #2, a 153-acre crop farm
The Bruce A. & Debra L. Weaver farm #2, a 34-acre crop operation
Erie County – total investment $52,044.73 state only
The Quatro Farm #2 LLC, a 26-acre crop operation
Franklin County – total investment $52,134.66 state only
The Fred E. & Dale E. Rice farm #3, a 19-acre crop operation
Huntingdon County – total investment $197,184.35 state; $50,000 county
The Robert D. & Susan J. Campbell farm, a 223-acre crop and livestock operation
Indiana County – total investment $183,156.65 state; $25,000 county
The Anthony G. Pizarchik farm #1, an 82-acre crop operation
Lancaster County – total investment $811,831.61 state; $345,270 county
The G. Bard Farm #1, a 64.99-acre beef operation
The G. Bard Farm #2, an 82.23-acre poultry operation
The Jay H. Kauffman farm, a 107-acre crop and livestock operation
The James E. & Debra L. Krantz farm, a 135-acre crop and livestock operation
Lehigh County – total investment $17,891.93 state; $502,080.30 county
The D&J Trexler Farm, an 87.93-acre crop operation
Lycoming County – total investment $83,714.15 state; $8,705 county
The Michael R. Kessler farm, a 70-acre crop and livestock operation
Montgomery County – total investment $215,066.31 state; $2,068.29 county
The Brian & Heidi Geverd Farm #1, a 33-acre crop farm
Northampton County – total investment $17,6702.10 state; $307,343.24 county
The C, S&K Hester & R. Pinto farm, a 33-acre crop operation
The R&D Longley farm, a 23.13-acre Christmas tree operation
Washington County – total investment $511,240.06 state; only
The Marko Brigich Jr. Farm #2, a 166-acre crop and livestock operation
Westmoreland County – total investment $9,302.70 state; $1 county
A&J Donovan Farm #1, a 45.82-acre crop operation
To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program, and investments in a secure future for Pennsylvania agriculture, visit agriculture.pa.gov
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