Two Butler County farms are among 40 farms across the state that were accepted into the state farmland preservation program, which protects the land from future residential, commercial or industrial development.

Through the program, more than $9.7 million in state and county money was invested into preserving 3,528 acres on 40 farms in 19 counties and used to leverage $735,170 in federal money that will be put toward preserving farms on waiting lists in six counties, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

In the county, Maple Shade Farms, a 132-acre crop and beef farm in Forward Township; and the Wayne A., Kathryn J. and Timothy W. Pizor Farm, a 37-acre crop farm in Worth Township, were accepted into the program. Those farms represent a $653,671 investment by the state and $189,727 by the county. Those funds will leverage $53,750 in federal funds.

Timothy Pizor said the 37 acres recently enrolled in the program is part of family-run 300-acre beef cattle farm operated by him; his wife, Brandy; and his parents, Wayne and Kathryn Pizor. They raise corn, soybeans and wheat, in addition to the cattle.

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