Montgomery County Permanently Preserves 200th Farm

LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, PA — Montgomery County has permanently protected a new 46-acre farm, marking the 200th farm protected under its far-reaching and impactful preservation program.

The newest addition to the county's preserve is Sitko Tree Farm in Lower Pottsgrove Township. It adds to Pennsylvania's nation-leading 661,035 preserved acres and 6,648 preserved farms.

“With 200 farms preserved in Montgomery County, we are committing to our vital agricultural sector and all it provides for the community, from fresh food to family bonding experiences,” Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said in a statement.

Farms that enter into the program can still be bought and sold, but it must remain a working farm forever. It not only improves the environment and keeps the historic heritage of the region alive and thriving, but it's an important way to support the local economy, officials say.

For farmers, there are several benefits: the county provides financial support for operations, and offers a reduction of estate and inheritance taxes for those passing the farm down.

“Farms have been an integral part of Montgomery County’s history, and through our Farmland Preservation Program, we have ensured that our agricultural economy will thrive for many generations to come," Makhija added. "This isn’t just preserving land. It’s preserving a family legacy.”

Founded in 1920, Sitko Tree Farm is one of the region's preeminent Christmas tree purveyors. It's been owned by the Sitko family for four generations.

To be eligible for inclusion in the county's preservation's program, at least 50 percent of the farm's land, or 10 acres, must be in agricultural production. Farms must also be members of an Agricultural Security Area, a program administered on the municipal level.

Montgomery County's program was launched in 1990. The county program is part of a larger state program that includes participation by 58 counties throughout the Commonwealth. For more information on the program, see here.