Flood Applauds Permanent Farmland Preservation in Lower Mount Bethel Township

June 12, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton) is pleased to announce a 30-acre crop farm in Lower Mount Bethel Township has been permanently preserved through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program.

The preservation of the property, owned by Jonathan A. and Angela M. Templeton, was made possible through a $213,764 investment of state funds. This 138th District farm is among 22 farms across Pennsylvania approved for preservation by the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board.

“Protecting farmland is essential to preserving our agricultural heritage and supporting the long-term strength of our local communities,” said Flood. “I am pleased to see this investment in Northampton County and grateful to the landowners for their commitment to keeping this property in agricultural production.”

Through the Farmland Preservation Program, development rights are purchased from willing landowners to ensure preserved farms remain dedicated to agricultural use and are protected from future residential or commercial development.

Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program has protected 6,726 farms and more than 667,000 acres in 58 counties since its creation in 1988. Statewide, nearly $8.8 million was invested to preserve 1,775 acres on 22 farms through the board’s latest round of approvals.