June 9, 2016
Harrisburg – June 9, 2016 – The Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board today approved an additional 194 acres of Berks County farmland for preservation, state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said today.
“The farmland preservation program is so vitally important to the agriculture community of Berks County and all across the state,” Schwank said. “Preserving farmland for agricultural purposes enhances family farming, promotes efficient land use and keeps acres in production without outside development pressures.”
Schwank who is a member of the board in addition to serving as Democratic chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said that 110. 7 acres in Centre Township and another 82.7 acres in Perry Township will be preserved.
The board approved conservation easements valued at $483,500 to preserve the farmland.
“Berks County has been a statewide leader in preserving farmland,” Schwank said. “We have a long history of farming in the county and with the help of preservation activities we will continue to keep land in agricultural production.”
The farm that will be preserved in Centre Township belongs to Dale and Carolyn Machmer. The Perry Township farm is owned by Marie Strause and Carol Fetherol.
Statewide 4,977 farms totaling 522,545 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County, 711 farms consisting of 70,227 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
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July 8, 2015
MONROEVILLE, July 8, 2015 – State Sen. Judy Schwank – who has worked to protect Berks County farmland, enhance open spaces throughout Pennsylvania, and safeguard natural resources – has been named a “legislative leader” by the organization that advocates for the commonwealth’s 66 conservation districts.
Schwank, along with Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. (R-Beaver), were named co-recipients of the PA Association of Conservation Districts’ “2015 Legislative Leadership Award.”
“I work to make sure Pennsylvania’s natural resources are preserved and protected,” Sen. Schwank said today following her acceptance of the award during the association’s annual awards luncheon. “I believe it is important to support landowners and farmers with proper planning and practices to meet their conservation needs and ensure we have healthy soils and clean water for future generations.
“I am grateful for PACD’s recognition of my work, but the real tribute is to the residents of the 11th Senatorial District and the officials who guide our own conservation district because their passion for preservation is understood.”
The PA Association of Conservation Districts delivers the Legislative Leadership Award to a lawmaker “whose outstanding efforts have helped further the activities and accomplishments of PACD and the 66 conservation districts.”
Sen. Schwank serves as the Democratic chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and she is also a member of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board.
Schwank’s senatorial district sits in the Berks County Conservation District, which has been operating since 1946.
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Follow Sen. Schwank on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
October 10, 2013
Harrisburg, Oct. 10, 2013 – Berks County added three farms and more than 170 acres today to the state’s 25-year-old farmland preservation program, Sen. Judy Schwank announced.
“In its silver anniversary, I’m pleased to announce today that an additional 173 acres of Berks County farmland has been added to Pennsylvania’s growing list of protected prime agricultural fields,” Schwank said.
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, of which Schwank is a member, approved the preservation of the 74.8-acre Leroy & Lisa Hoover farm in Marion Township, the 12.8-acre Mark & Maryann Martin farm in Maxatawny Township, and the 85.6-acre John & Alma Weaver farm in Richmond Township, Berks County.
The farms are being preserved through the purchase of $433,000 worth of conservation easements.
“Gov. Robert P. Casey had the vision to make sure our invaluable farmland is handed down from generation to generation,” Schwank said. “Twenty-five years later, I think he would be proud of the work Berks County’s farmers have completed to ensure that his – and their – agricultural heritage continue.”
Since its inception in 1988, the commonwealth has protected 4,491 farms totaling more than 480,089 acres. Berks County counts 655 farms in the statewide total and 65,809 acres, and it remains the leading county in the number of acres of farmland that have been preserved.
The long-term goal of the state’s program is to permanently preserve farmland. The holders of the easements have the right to prevent development or improvements of the land for purposes other than agricultural production.
Local, county or state government – or any combination of the three – may buy easements.
Counties that decide to have an easement purchase program must create an agricultural land preservation board.
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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
June 13, 2013
Harrisburg, June 13, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank announced today that an additional 106 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of $266,500 worth of conservation easements.
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, of which Schwank is a member, approved the preservation of the Larry & Patricia Bauscher farm in Greenwich Township, Berks County.
“One farm at a time we are saving Berks County’s invaluable agricultural spaces,” said Schwank. “Preserving the Bauscher tract for future generations of farming is what this great program is designed to do. My thanks to them for taking this important step.”
Since its inception, 4,426 farms totaling 475,000 acres have been preserved statewide. Berks County has counts 653 farms in the statewide total and 65,740 acres.
Berks County remains first in the state for farmland preservation.
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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
December 13, 2012
READING, Dec. 13, 2012 — An additional 168 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $420,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Pearl Noll Richmond Twp. 49.20
Naomi Mae Stutzman Longswamp Twp. 118.80
Total: 168.0
“Our farmlands play a crucial role in the vitality of our state and local economy, so it’s imperative that we preserve our agricultural industry,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that our families farms are being preserved thanks to the preservation board funds.”
Statewide 4,364 farms totaling 470,155 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 645 farms consisting of 65,118 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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October 11, 2012
HARRISBURG, Oct. 11, 2012 — An additional 92.9 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $232,250 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Rebman-Reed Tulpehocken Twp. 92.9
“Farmland preservation is a crucial way to protect our agricultural industry while supporting our local farming families and all their hard work,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that we are once again preserving hundreds more acres of land solely for farming use.”
Statewide, 4,342 farms totaling 468,091 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County, 643 farms consisting of 64,950 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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August 23, 2012
HARRISBURG, Aug. 23, 2012 — An additional 243 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $607,000 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Helen Kosmerl Maidencreek Twp. 177.10
Kervin & Mary Jane Weaver Richmond Twp. 66.00
Total 243.1
“Berks County has a proud tradition of family farming, and that’s why it’s so important that we preserve the land that sustains local families and our economy,” Schwank said. “Farmland conservation easements ensure that agriculture — our county’s number one industry — thrives.”
Statewide, 4,320 farms totaling 465,953 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 642 farms consisting of 64,857 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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February 16, 2012
HARRISBURG, Feb. 16, 2011 — An additional 112 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $279,750 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farm will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Wolfskill Family Farm Lower Heidelberg Twp. 111.9
“Our farmlands play a crucial role in the vitality of our state and local economy, so it’s imperative that we preserve our agricultural industry,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that another family farm has been preserved, thanks to the preservation board.”
Statewide, 4,243 farms totaling 459,007 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 635 farms consisting of 64,403 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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December 15, 2011
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15, 2011 — An additional 291 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $726,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Larry & Denise Grumbine Bethel Twp. 126.9
Terry & Sue Kunkel Albany Twp. 93.6
Rachel Theis Oley Twp. 69.9
Total: 290.4
“I’m proud to say that Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the program,” Schwank said. “Agriculture is the economic engine here, and we are making significant contributions to the state’s economy, so it’s imperative that we continue to preserve our precious and fruitful farmlands.”
Statewide 4,229 farms totaling 457,537 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County, 634 farms consisting of 64,291 acres have been preserved.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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October 13, 2011
Harrisburg, October 13, 2011 — An additional 285 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $681,127 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to Sen. Schwank, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Robert French Perry Twsp. 134.8
Norman Martin Richmond Twsp. 27.4
Paul and Anna Mae Martin Richmond Twsp. 47.3
Levi and Doris Zimmerman Tulpehocken Twsp. 75.3
Total: 284.8
“Agriculture is a significant economic driver in Berks County,” Schwank said. “Farmland conservation easements ensure that the land is protected so that we can continue to provide food and preserve our county’s number one industry.”
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE).
An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
Statewide 4,208 farms totaling 455,207 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 631 farms consisting of 64,000 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
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