Pennsylvania Preserves Nearly 1,000 Acres of Local Farmland

Over 2,600 acres statewide protected through state investment

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated tractor icon in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the preservation of farmland and the importance of agricultural machinery to the state's economy and food production.Preserving Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage through innovative farmland protection programs.Lampeter Today

The Pennsylvania government has invested $10.2 million to purchase the development rights for 2,645 acres on 31 farms across the state, including 833 acres in the Midstate region. This move will protect the land from future development and ensure it remains in agricultural use for generations to come.

Why it matters

Preserving farmland is crucial for maintaining local food production, supporting rural economies, and protecting the environment. As development pressures increase, programs like this help ensure that productive agricultural lands are not lost to sprawl, benefiting both farmers and the wider community.

The details

The preserved farmland includes a 233-acre crop farm owned by the Marsteller family in York County, their fourth preserved easement. Other protected properties are located in Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, and York counties. Farmers like John Marsteller Jr. have chosen to keep their land in agricultural use rather than selling for development, demonstrating a commitment to feeding the state and continuing their families' farming traditions.

  • The $10.2 million investment was announced in April 2026.

The players

John Marsteller Jr.

A York County farmer who sold the development rights to a 233-acre crop farm, the fourth preserved easement on his family's land, creating a 2,700-acre block of protected farmland.

Russell Redding

Pennsylvania's Agriculture Secretary, who stated that the state leads the nation in preserved farmland thanks to the commitment of farm families and government support.

Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Program

A program that brings together the state, local governments, and nonprofits to purchase the development rights for farmland, preserving 665,585 acres in 58 counties since its creation in 1988.

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What they’re saying

“It's been important for me and my family to not only farm the land, but to make sure that there are farms, and productive ones, for the future.”

— John Marsteller Jr., Farmer

“Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farmland, thanks to the unwavering commitment of our farm families and strong support at every level of government.”

— Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary

What’s next

The Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Program will continue to work with farmers and local governments to identify additional properties for protection, ensuring the state's agricultural heritage is preserved for generations to come.

The takeaway

By investing in farmland preservation, Pennsylvania is demonstrating a commitment to supporting local food production, protecting the environment, and maintaining the vibrancy of rural communities. This program serves as a model for other states looking to safeguard their agricultural lands in the face of development pressures.