The Shapiro Administration is investing nearly $10 million to preserve 2,672 acres across 35 farms in 18 counties, including Bucks County, by purchasing their development rights and protecting them from future commercial or residential use.
Bucks County received $1.485 million in total, with $1.114 million from the state and $370,000 from the county. The funding will preserve three farms.
The first farm, owned by Wesley Mark and Laura May Schmidt, is a 62-acre crop farm in Bedminster. Clyde N. and Janice M. Thomas operate the second property, a 40-acre crop farm in Bedminster. The third farm is a 17-acre crop and livestock farm run by Peter J. and Joyce M. Weiss in Milford.
Since Gov. Shapiro took office, the state has invested $125.2 million to preserve 415 farms and over 35,000 acres of farmland.
His 2025–2026 budget proposes further agricultural investments, including $13 million for the Ag Innovation Grant and $2 million for the animal diagnostics laboratory. It also includes $4 million for the Agricultural Surplus System and another $4 million for the State Food Purchase Program.
“Preserving Pennsylvania farmland is an investment in the future of our economy and farm families,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “When that land is lost to development, we lose one of our most valuable economic assets.”
Since 1988, Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program has protected 6,564 farms and more than 654,000 acres in 58 counties. Nearly $1.76 billion in combined state, county and local funding has made this possible.
Learn more about how the Shapiro Administration is working to protect farms like those in Bucks County at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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