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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 5, 2023 09:54 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Brennan and Rep. Keith J. Greiner |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Agricultural Preservation Funds Use |
| The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program (ACEP) was established in 1988 to strengthen Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy and protect prime farmland. Today, the program has preserved 6,180 farms consisting of 622,238 acres. However, Pennsylvania has still lost about 6% of its farmland from 2012 to 2017; the number of farms fell by 10% over the same period. This trend could result in decreased food production, could increase the cost of food locally and could limit open land available for environmental preservation and protection. To support our agricultural community and preserve this valuable natural resource, additional funds must be used for preservation efforts. This legislation would insure the thorough and efficient use of available funds and would help eligible nonprofit entities invest in these preservation efforts, easing the burden on taxpayers. Saving our farmlands retains our ability to provide healthy, nutritious food to our children and families without relying on imports. In short, preserving our farmlands preserves our nutritional independence. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to ensure that our agricultural lands are protected and will continue to produce food for generations to come. |
Introduced as HB1777