Montco, state and Plymouth Township to preserve Maple Acres Farm

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Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, and the state of Pennsylvania are working together to purchase the development rights for Maple Acre Farm. (Photo by Stan Huskey).

Montgomery County is pledging $247,940.59 towards preserving the last remaining farm in Plymouth Township, Maple Acres Farm. The county will split the $939,572.55 total cost of the preservation with Plymouth Township and the state, according to The Times Herald.

Maple Acres Farm is located at 2656 Narcissa Road, just behind the Plymouth Meeting Mall. Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, and the state of Pennsylvania are working together to purchase the development rights for the 26-acre farm. A stipulation of the farm conservation easement approved by the Plymouth Township Council requires the property to forever remain a farm or open space.

“This is a big win for Montgomery County, but an even bigger win for Plymouth Township,” Plymouth Township Council Vice Chairman Chris Manero said.

Maple Acres Farm is not the only farm in financial trouble. Farms across the country are going bankrupt in record numbers, but Montgomery County intends to preserve ten thousand acres of farmland, writes Beccah Hendrickson for 6abc.com.

Farmer Gary Mckeown has 63 years’ experience taking care of Maple Acres Farm. Despite receiving nearly $1 million in a grant, Mckeown hopes it will be just enough to keep him afloat.

“I just don’t know the answer. I have a fantastic business, but just the money it costs to keep this place, it’s tough,” said Mckeown. “If I can pay off my debts, I hope on the plus side.”

To read the complete story in The Times Herald click here.

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