Another 1,060 acres of farmland preserved in Delaware

Thirteen more farms have been added to the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, protecting 1,060 acres from future development.

In the 19th round of farmland preservation, more than one thousand acres of farmland will stay as open space. The program, started in 1991 by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation, has protected more than 116,000 acres of farmland in the First State. 

“Over the last 20 years, these investments have reaped economic, natural and cultural dividends for our children and our grandchildren,” said Delaware Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee. “Our farmers remain national leaders in keeping agriculture thriving and profitable, and this program helps them do that while protecting open space and preserving farmland.”

Five farms in Sussex, six in Kent, and two in New Castle county were preserved in this round. The average farm was 82 acres and the future development rights were purchased for an average cost of $1,345 per acre.