Mackenzie Announces 42 Farmland Acres Preserved in Lehigh County

October 9, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) is pleased to announce 42 acres of farmland in the 131st Legislative District will be permanently protected from future residential and commercial development through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program.

The 42-acre crop and livestock farm, owned by Russell M.K. Schantzenbach, is located in Upper Saucon and Lower Milford townships in Lehigh County. The farm is among 22 farms totaling 1,228 acres approved for preservation by the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board. The latest round will protect farmland across 14 counties in the Commonwealth.

“Protecting farmland is an investment in the future of our communities and our Commonwealth,” said Mackenzie. “Preserving this farm ensures these 42 acres will remain available for agricultural production while helping maintain the rural character of our communities for generations to come.”

Through the Farmland Preservation Program, the Commonwealth partners with county and local governments and, in some cases, nonprofit organizations to purchase development rights from farmland owners. Conservation easements remain with the property even if ownership changes, ensuring preserved farms remain in agricultural production.

With the addition of the 22 farms approved in this latest round, Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program has now protected 6,781 farms totaling 671,082 acres in 58 counties from future development. Since the program was established in 1988, more than $1.83 billion in state, county and local funds have been invested in preserving Pennsylvania farmland. 



Representative Milou Mackenzie
131st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Will Jones
717.260.6615
WJones@pahousegop.com