Conservancy preserves 27 acres of South Huntingdon farm land on Earth Day

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy members weren’t able to hold the signing ceremony they’d hoped for. Nonetheless, they were able to preserve nearly 30 acres of Westmoreland County farm land on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

The farm, in South Huntingdon, will be part of the conservancy’s Farmland Access Initiative, which connects farmers with affordable farm land.

“South Huntingdon is a fit for them because it’s close to Interstate 70, Route 31 and the (Pennsylvania) Turnpike,” said Becky Poole, whose family owned the farm for five generations. “I’m honored and thrilled that it was selected for preservation.”

The conservancy already has two locations, one in Mercer County and another in Lawrence County, where farmers lease farmland to raise livestock or grow crops for food distribution in the Pittsburgh region.

“It’s fitting that we permanently protected this farm land today on Earth Day; not only will this land never be developed, it will remain a farm for planting and growing crops as it has since 1827,” said conservancy CEO and President Tom Saunders. “We’ll work to ensure that the natural features of the farm are protected while helping out local farmers wanting to provide organic local foods to people living in the region.”

The conservancy was “the perfect group for me, because they were able to come in and pay for all the testing they need to do before putting a piece of land into preservation,” said Poole, a news editor with the Tribune-Review. “Plus they’re the oldest, most respected and prestigious conservation organization in the state.”

The Farmland Access Initiative has worked out well for other farmers.

“Purchasing land and equipment to operate a farm are among the biggest financial challenges most new farmers will face,” said Jake Kristophel, a co-owner of Fallen Aspen Farm, which is located on conservancy property in Lawrence County. “The option to lease land made farming more attractive and affordable for us, and leasing continues to be the right choice for our small ag business.”

Funding to acquire the property was made possible by the generosity of the Henry L. Hillman, Colcom and Katherine Mabis McKenna foundations, the Heinz Endowments and an anonymous donor.

Poole said she looks forward to a productive future for her family’s former farm.

“It’s time for the next chapter, and I have no doubt the WPC will be able to write it,” she said.

Farmers interested in leasing acres of this farm in Westmoreland County should call 412-288-2777 or email land@paconserve.org.