Barton Announces Funding to Preserve Berks County Farms
BERKS COUNTY – Rep.-elect Jamie Barton (R-Berks/Schuylkill) today is pleased to announce investments to protect two farms in the 124th Legislative District. The two Berks County farms include the Robert C. Berger Farm in Upper Bern Township, a 26-acre crop and livestock farm; and the Shirley K. and Paul B. Levan Jr. Farm in Tilden Township, a 59-acre crop and livestock farm.
“I am very grateful for these investments in our district and the state, as it’s crucial we protect our farmland and agriculture, which is the Commonwealth’s leading industry,” Barton said. “These Berks County farms are valuable assets for Pennsylvania and will now be protected, far into the future.”
The farm preservation program allows landowners to sell their land’s development rights to preserve their farms and protect the land from future residential, commercial or industrial development. Farm families often sell their land at below market value to ensure it will remain farmland forever. Pennsylvania partners with county and sometimes local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security.
The State Agricultural Land Preservation Board recently preserved 2,478 acres on 30 farms in 18 counties, including Berks County, while investing more than $8.9 million in state, county, local and nonprofit dollars in the protection of farmland. Our Commonwealth ends 2022 continuing to lead the nation, having protected 170 farms and 13,069 acres this year.
Representative-elect Jamie Barton
124th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Katie Park
717.260.6486
kpark@pahousegop.com
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