HORSHAM — Montgomery County has designated more than $1.8 million for land preservation, purchasing a 35-acre agricultural conservation easement on the Pennypack Farm property adjacent to the College Settlement camps in Horsham Township.
The efforts ensured Pennypack Farm would remain a working farm in perpetuity through the county’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The Horsham Township-based parcel is the 187th farm to be permanently preserved through the county program.
“Preserving farmland in the county is important because once farmland is developed, it’s nearly impossible to get that resource back,” Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said in a statement.
The $1,852,251 price tag included township, county and state contributions.
“We celebrate every time a farm is preserved like this because this is a voluntary program and it means that this farmland’s legacy is now protected in perpetuity. In this case, it’s particularly special, as this land holds a lot of significance to many people in Montgomery County and beyond,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement.
“For over a century, College Settlement Camp has offered a unique space for children to develop a closer relationship with nature,” she continued. “This is especially valuable for children in the metropolitan area who without College Settlement might never have had this kind of opportunity to connect with the rural outdoors.”
The property is farmed by Pennypack Farm, which is a separate organization from College Settlement of Philadelphia. Pennypack Farm’s collaborative programming with College Settlement teaches thousands of campers and students about where their food comes from and fosters an appreciation for farms and farmers.
“Organizations like College Settlement of Philadelphia and Pennypack Farm are training the next generation of farmers, a crucial part of making sure our workforce knows more than just where our food comes from, but also how to grow this food and get it to consumers,” DiBello said.
Twenty-four acres of the parcel are maintained under lease to the Pennypack Farm and Education Center and the surrounding natural land trust, according to county officials.
“The preserved land at College Settlement is uniquely positioned to tie into the county’s climate and sustainability goals. When people can purchase and consume locally grown food, consumers are supporting biodiversity and reducing the journey that the food takes from farm to table,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija said in a statement. “Pennypack Farm raises a variety of organically-grown produce on this land, much of which is distributed through a community-supported agriculture program to more than 400 households.”
Visit montgomerycountypa.gov/Farmland-Preservation-Program for more information.
