HELLAM, Oct. 16, 2014 – Pennsylvania became the first state in the country today to preserve 500,000 acres of valuable farmland and three Berks County farms helped accomplish the milestone, Sen. Judy Schwank said today.

“Berks County is a big reason the commonwealth has protected half a million acres of farmland,” Schwank said today following the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Board’s meeting at Flinchbaugh’s Orchard and Farm Market. “Our county has preserved more acres of farmland than any other county in the program.

“The 300 acres of prime agricultural space that were removed from the specter of development today by the board means 678 farms and 68,000 local acres of Berks County farms will be producing nutritious food for generations to come.”

The total conservation easements for the following three farms totals $748,000:

  • Larry & Patricia Bauscher, Greenwich Township, 8 acres
  • Benjamin & Karah Davies, Washington Township, 1 acres
  • Larry & Carol Mertz, Maxatawny Township, 5 acres

Since its inception in 1988, the commonwealth has protected 4,704 farms totaling 500,079 acres with $1.3 billion in easements. In Berks County, 678 farms consisting of 67,991 acres have been preserved.

The long-term goal of the state’s program is to permanently preserve farmland. The holders of the easements have the right to prevent development or improvements of the land for purposes other than agricultural production.

Local, county or state government – or any combination of the three – may buy easements. Counties that decide to have an easement purchase program must create an agricultural land preservation board.

For more information on PA’s farmland preservation program, visit the Bureau of Farmland Preservation’s website.

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