Jan. 09, 2024
HARRISBURG — Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) is pleased to announce that five Lehigh Valley farms have been preserved as part of an $8.7 million statewide effort to ward off development and protect open spaces.
“It is crucial that we protect our precious farmland,” said Mackenzie. “Critical investments like this help ensure Pennsylvania families will have green spaces and healthy farmland available to produce food, create jobs and provide income for future generations.”
A 21-acre crop farm owned by Leslie H. Nonnemacher in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County, is one of the farms preserved in the Lehigh Valley region and is located in the 131st Legislative District.
In total, the five Lehigh Valley farms were awarded nearly $2 million.
The nearly 6.4% overall increase in the PA Department of Agriculture’s budget for 2023-24 is multiplying farmers' efforts to conserve land, soil and water resources by investing in land preservation, equipment purchases, business planning and farm management tools they need to innovate and grow.
Since 1988, when the state’s Farmland Preservation Program was approved by voters, the Commonwealth has protected 6,314 farms encompassing 632,856 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.69 billion in state, county and local funds.
Rep. Milou Mackenzie
131st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Will Jones
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WJones@pahousegop.com
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