The Lehigh County Agricultural Land Preservation Board has selected 11 farms totaling approximately 785.97 acres for appraisal as part of the County’s 2027 farmland preservation round.

Farms selected for appraisal include Heidelberg Township: 57 acres and 43 acres, Lower Milford Township: 32.5 acres, Lynn Township: 116 acres and 176.6 acres, North Whitehall Township: 47.5 acres and 76 acres, Upper Saucon Township: 45 acres, Washington Township: 84.46 acres and 48.08 acres and Weisenberg Township: 59.83 acres.

“This is one of the most important votes our board takes each year,” said Lehigh County Commissioner Ron Beitler, an Independent who chairs the Farmland Preservation Board. “These farms represent another significant step toward permanently protecting Lehigh County’s agricultural land and heritage.”

Although the board formally advances farms from the waiting list, each property is ranked objectively using the county’s adopted Land Evaluation and Site Assessment, or LESA, formula.

The formula considers factors including:

•Soil quality and productivity

•The size and configuration of the farm

•Proximity to other preserved farms

•Consistency with the regional comprehensive plan

•Development pressure

The board periodically reviews the scoring criteria and may make revisions within minimum state requirements.

Any changes must comply with Pennsylvania’s statewide farmland preservation program and receive state approval.

Once adopted, the criteria are applied consistently to every applicant.

“The beauty of this program is that every farm is evaluated under the same publicly adopted criteria,” Beitler said. “The process is objective, completely transparent and fair, giving applicants and the public confidence in how farms are selected.”

If all 11 farms successfully complete the appraisal and preservation process at the acreage currently offered, Lehigh County’s preserved farmland total would increase to approximately 29,581.73 acres.

The county is likely to surpass 30,000 preserved acres in 2028, further establishing Lehigh County’s program as one of the most successful farmland preservation programs in the country.

“Lehigh County continues to rank first in Pennsylvania for preserved farmland as a percentage of its total land area,” state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, said. “This reinforces that preserving open space remains a top priority for residents. Priorities like this help ensure Lehigh County remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

“This program is a team effort, reflecting the sustained commitment of the county, the commonwealth and participating municipalities,” Beitler said. “Funding is critical, but the program only works when farmers and landowners choose to participate. At its core, farmland preservation remains a voluntary partnership.”

County and state funding is further strengthened by local contributions through the county’s Municipal Partnership Program, with most municipalities represented in this preservation round helping support the effort.

Agricultural landowners interested in permanently preserving their farms may contact the Lehigh County Farmland Preservation Office at 610-336-5680 for more information.

“Help us identify the farms that will carry Lehigh County beyond 30,000 preserved acres and protect our agricultural heritage for generations to come,” Beitler said.