Lehigh Times

Jun. 14, 2024

HARRISBURG – Another farm in the 187th Legislative District has been added to Pennsylvania’s list of preserved farmlands, according to Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh).

A 19-acre crop farm in Weisenberg Township owned by Kyle Henninger and Beth Kramer was among 28 farms in 19 counties included in the latest round of farmland purchases by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. More than $9.8 million in state and county funding was invested to protect 2,629 acres of prime farmland statewide from future development.

“I am pleased to see another Lehigh Valley farm family is taking part in the state’s farmland preservation program, which helps to maintain agriculture as an important contributor to the economy,” said Mackenzie.

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program allows farm families to sell their land’s development rights, preserving their farms and averting future residential, commercial, or industrial development. The Commonwealth partners with counties and sometimes local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights.

Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in the number of preserved farms with 6,392 totaling nearly 640,000 acres and has invested nearly $1.7 billion since 1988 to protect valuable farmland.

Representative Ryan Mackenzie

187th Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Andy Briggs

717-260-6474

abriggs@pahousegop.com

RepMackenzie.com / Facebook.com/RepMackenzie

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