There are several ways to "preserve" farmland, but the data on this page reflect Pennsylvania's "conservation easement" program. Under this program, the state and counties pay farm owners to set aside the right to develop their farm. Even if the farm is sold, the new owner cannot develop the land or use it for anything other than farming. Similar results can come from other funding sources, which increase farmland protection.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Farmland Preservation, Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production. The program guarantees a future food supply and contributes to a healthier economy. It also assures a way of life that Pennsylvanians cherish will continue for generations to come. The program is a partnership between all levels of government and non-profit organizations - with a common goal of saving prime farmland.
| PA FARM STATISTICS | 2011 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Farms in PA: | 63,200 | 52,700 |
| Number of Preserved Farms in PA: | 3,897 farms: < 7% of total PA farms |
5,979 farms: > 11% of total PA farms |
| Total Area of Farmland in PA: | 7,750,000 acres | 7,300,000 acres |
| Area of Preserved Farmland in PA: | 425,376 acres: < 6% of total PA farmland |
611,620 acres: > 8% of total PA farmland |
| Average Farm Area: | 123 acres | 139 acres |
| Average Preserved Farm Area: | 109 acres | 101 acres |
| Total Dollars Spent to Purchase Farmland for Preservation: | $1,043,221,948 | $1,603,393,653 |
| Average Price Paid to Purchase Farmland for Preservation: | $2,452 per acre | $2,645 per acre ($3,100 in 2021) |
| County with Largest Total Number of Preserved Farms: | Lancaster County: 619 farms |
Lancaster County: 912 farms |
| County with Largest Total Acreage in Preserved Farms: | Berks County: 60,851 acres |
Berks County: 76,475 acres |
| Counties without Farmland Preservation Programs: | Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Jefferson, Philadelphia, Elk, Forest, Venango, McKean, Pike | Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Philadelphia, Elk, Forest, Venango, McKean |
| "Preserved farmland" statistics refer only to state-funded farmland preservation efforts; not those preserved by private and/or non-profit organizations. | ||
| US FARM STATISTICS | 2007 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Farms in the US: | 2,204,792 | 2,042,220 |
| PA Rank: Number of Farms per state: | 13th | 14th |
| Total Area of US Farmland: | 922,095,840 acres | 900,217,576 acres |
| Average Farm Size: | 418 acres | 441 acres |
| Median Farm Size: | 65 acres | 75 acres |
Title photo by: Jeremy R. Young, Fall 2011
Data source:
Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Farmland Preservation, October 2009.
US Dept. of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service, June 2022.
2017 Census of Agriculture publications, June 2022.
Map and webpage created by: Jeremy R. Young, Fall 2011
Modifications by: Dr. Geiger, 2016, 2022.