Salford Farmland Preserved By Montgomery County

Montgomery County has added two more farms to its growing list of permanently preserved farm properties, including one in Salford. 

The farms were preserved under the Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Montgomery County is one of 58 counties participating in this voluntary state program, according to a county news release. 

The two newest preserved farms are the George E. Leidig Jr. & Eleanor Vallone farm, a 54-acre crop and horse operation in New Hanover Township, and the J. Ladaan & Anne D. Moyer farm, a 50-acre crop farm in Salford Township. The preservation of these farms helps to implement the land use vision plan in the county’s comprehensive plan, Montco 2040: A Shared Vision, the release states.

“We are pleased to add these two fine farms to our list of preserved farms in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Commissioners Chair Josh Shapiro in a statement. “The farms in our county are vital, offering residents a variety of the healthiest produce and goods available and helping to enhance our economy.”

The Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, commonly known as the farmland program, began in 1990. To date, 157 farms totaling 9,230 acres have been preserved in the county, the county said. 

The preservation program purchases agricultural easements from productive farms in Montgomery County. When the easement is sold, the owner keeps the land but no longer has the right to develop the property for non-farm uses. The land must remain farmed in perpetuity. The farmer may sell the land, but the new owner must continue to farm the land as well.

Farming not only played a significant role in Montgomery County’s history, it is also integral to the county’s sustainable future. The preservation of farmland and farming is important for the economy, environment, and local food availability in Montgomery County, according to the release. 

This beneficial work could not be done  without the support of the state and the many townships in the county that help to promote farms and farming, the county said.