Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program was established in response to the sharp drop in our state's farm acreage from 9 million acres in 1980 to 8.1 million in 1990. Annually, approximately 80,000 acres of farmland is taken out of production in Pennsylvania. The program was approved in 1988 under an amendment to the Agricultural Area Security Law, (Act 43 of 1981), and the first easement was purchased in December of 1989.
3,782 farms were approved for easement purchase for a total of 414,720 acres in Pennsylvania.
Additional Information
To learn more about the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture or contact Arthur Cappella at 724-430-1210, ext. 208 or send an email.