LEBANON, PA — On Wednesday, Governor Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding marked a major milestone in Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation efforts during a visit to Talview Dairy Farm in Lebanon County. The event celebrated the protection of more than 6,600 farms and 650,000 acres of farmland across the Commonwealth — more than any other state in the nation.
The Farmland Preservation Program, a partnership between state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, ensures productive agricultural land remains available for future generations. Since the Shapiro administration began, Pennsylvania has invested over $140 million to preserve 472 farms encompassing 39,273 acres.
“Pennsylvania has helped preserve more than 6,600 farms — more than any other state in the nation,” Shapiro said. “That means our family farms can stay farms forever — preserving this way of life and creating more opportunity for multigenerational farmers like the Copenhavers, who are a central part of Pennsylvania’s economy.”
The Copenhaver family, who operate Talview Dairy, represent the sixth generation to farm the land. Their partnership with the state’s farmland preservation program, the Center for Dairy Excellence, and Penn State Extension has strengthened their operation’s future.
Agriculture contributes $132 billion annually and supports nearly 600,000 jobs statewide. Under Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has made historic investments in farm innovation, disease prevention, and environmental conservation. Initiatives include the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, which has supported more than 2,000 farmers adopting soil and water conservation practices, and the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program, providing $10 million for research and modernization.
“A farm is the highest and best use of land,” said Redding. “By preserving high-quality farmland, we’re keeping a promise to future generations that Pennsylvania will continue to feed our nation and strengthen our economy.”
To date, the Commonwealth has invested more than $1.78 billion, in collaboration with counties and local governments, to safeguard agricultural land from development.
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