ADAMS TWP — Tim King, a fourth-generation farmer, is concerned about the future of farming in Butler County with ongoing development taking more land each year.

“We started to lose some land we leased,” King said Thursday night at the monthly meeting of the Pittsburgh City Farmers Club at the Springfield Grille off Route 228.

The club is comprised mainly of Butler County members.

King, whose family runs Freedom Farms in Middlesex Township, said housing developments are encroaching on land formerly used for farming.

“I’m concerned,” said King, 31.

The Kings own 132 acres, divided into two parcels, 92 acres and 40 acres.

“It’s really not enough to sustain a family of our size,” King said.

King, who runs Freedom Farms — which has a bakery, market and sandwich shop — with his siblings, are among a breed of younger farmers in the county shifting back to older farming methods that predate industrial farming, which employs synthetic chemicals.

Kevin Jarosinski, 25, a first-generation farmer who operates a 40-acre farm off Cole Road in Buffalo Township, agreed development is an issue.

“It’s the urban sprawl,” Jarosinski said.

Pat Damico, 24, who runs a 35-acre farm near Route 356 in Buffalo, also spoke.

Damico said in an interview he shares his colleagues’ view.

“I’m looking for land,” he said. “I’m looking to expand ... it’s a pressing issue.”

Former Buffalo Supervisor Dan Przybylek, who introduced the young farmers to the club, said a way to address agricultural preservation is to have the right people serve on municipal boards.

“There’s a balance to be reached in all of this,” Przybylek said about guiding development to protect farmland.

Jarosinski said in an interview Buffalo officials have been good to work with, but he would like to see government provide more incentives such as tax breaks to farmers.

King agreed.

“We just would like to have something,” he said in an interview.

In the meantime, farmers like King use various methods, such as camps, to promote what they do to the public.

“We want to connect with people,” he said.

Terri Fuellgraf of the club said in an interview the association is not restricted to farmers.

She said 80 percent of the club membership is from Butler County and includes stable owners and beekeepers.

According to Fuellgraf, the club hold events educating the public about agriculture.

“We try to raise awareness,” she said.