State Rep. Milou Mackenzie | Pennsylvania 131st Legislative District
State Rep. Milou Mackenzie | Pennsylvania 131st Legislative District
Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) has announced that five farms in the Lehigh Valley region have been preserved as part of an $8.7 million statewide effort to protect open spaces and prevent development. The preservation of these farms will ensure the availability of green spaces and healthy farmland for future generations.
"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."
One of the farms preserved in the Lehigh Valley region is a 21-acre crop farm owned by Leslie H. Nonnemacher in Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County. The five Lehigh Valley farms were awarded nearly $2 million in total.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's budget for 2023-24 has seen a 6.4% overall increase, which is benefiting farmers' efforts to conserve land, soil, and water resources. The increased budget allows for investments in land preservation, equipment purchases, business planning, and farm management tools that farmers need to innovate and grow.
Since the approval of the state's Farmland Preservation Program in 1988, Pennsylvania has protected 6,314 farms encompassing 632,856 acres in 58 counties from future development. The state has invested more than $1.69 billion in state, county, and local funds to preserve farmland.
This investment in farmland preservation not only protects the environment but also supports the agricultural industry, which is vital for the state's economy. By preserving farmland, Pennsylvania is ensuring the availability of food production, job creation, and income generation for future generations.
Rep. Milou Mackenzie has been an advocate for farmland preservation and is committed to preserving the agricultural heritage of the Lehigh Valley region. Through this investment, Mackenzie is contributing to the long-term sustainability of the farming industry and the preservation of open spaces in Pennsylvania.
The preservation of these five Lehigh Valley farms is a significant step towards protecting the state's agricultural resources and ensuring a sustainable future for Pennsylvania's farming communities.
For more information, please contact:
Media Contact: Will Jones
Phone: 717.260.6615
Email: WJones@pahousegop.com
Website: RepMilouMackenziePA.com | Facebook.com/RepMilouMackenzie
To find out more, go to this link: https://www.repmiloumackenziepa.com/News/33389/Press-Releases/Mackenzie-Announces-Nearly-$2-Million-Investment-for-Lehigh-Valley-Farmland-Preservation-
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