The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recently announced the move to protect 32 farms in 18 counties from future development. The protection aims to preserve 2,264 acres for $8.2 million. The acreage amount contributes to a total count of 6,076 protected farms in the state that are now off-limits to developers.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding shared in a statement that farmland protects the beauty and productivity of Pennsylvania, along with the vitality of the economy and food security. Redding worked with other state officials to move the protections forward, asserting that the protection of farmland remains a priority the state government can agree upon.

Read more on the landmark move here.