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Farm Saved: Historic PA Land Protected From Development
21 Oct
Summary
- Historic 75-acre farm in Pennsylvania permanently protected from development.
- Smiths donated development rights after a 14-year conservation process.
- Protected land includes fields, woodland, and an early 1800s farmhouse.
Don and Esther Smith secured permanent protection for their 75-acre farm in Spring Township, Pennsylvania, on December 5, 2025. This conservation easement safeguards the property's fields, woodland, and historic house from future development.
The couple dedicated 14 years to this process, ultimately donating their development rights to the Centre County Farmland Trust. The limestone farmhouse, dating to the early 1800s, once served as a stagecoach stop.
The protected land will continue to support agriculture, with a local family leasing fields for crops like corn and soybeans. The Smiths also maintain a vegetable garden, and the easement protects 16 acres of woodland.
This conservation effort helps maintain water quality, preserve soil, store carbon, and protect habitats, while also safeguarding scenic views. The Centre County Farmland Trust will monitor the agreement to ensure compliance.
