Shapiro Wants To Preserve Pennsylvania Farmlands

Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration announced today that Pennsylvania is investing more than $10.2 million to purchase development rights for 2,645 acres on 31 farms in 20 counties, including Washington County, protecting them from future residential or commercial development and continuing the Administration’s support of one of Pennsylvania’s key industries.  In February, Shapiro announced an investment of nearly $7.1 million to preserve 25 new farms and 1,905 acres. In 2025, Pennsylvania preserved 167 farms and 14,147 prime acres of farmland across the state, investing more than $50.1 million. These joint investments by state and local governments ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs.  Shapiro says this is possible through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program, in which the state partners with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights to preserve farmland, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security. By selling development rights, farm owners ensure their farms remain in agricultural production and are never sold to developers.  In Washington County, the total investment – $300,251; state – $199,284; county – $100,967 –  will go to Brownsheepfarm, a 95-acre sheep and goat farm in South Franklin Township.