A family farm in Mercer County is sharing a $5 million investment from the state to preserve 22 Pennsylvania farms.

The 150-acre crop farm operated by Robert and Nancy Witt in New Vernon Township is getting a total investment of $155,880.

According to the governor’s office, $110,680 in state funds, and $45,200 in county funds are part of Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program to secure a sustainable future for Pennsylvania agriculture.

The money is part of an investment protecting 2,038 acres on 22 farms in 13 counties from future residential or commercial development.

The investment of nearly $5 million in state, county, and local dollars preserves prime farmland for the future, helping Pennsylvania farms continue feeding families and the economy.

"Fertile, healthy farmland and clean water are critical to our economy and our future," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. "The families who preserve their farms are forging a partnership with the government, investing together in ensuring that future Pennsylvania families will have food, green spaces, income, and jobs. Government working to sustain our economy and feed our quality of life is a central goal of the Shapiro Administration." 

 Since 1988, Pennsylvania has protected 6,202 farms and 624,277 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.6 billion in state, county, and local funds.