The Maryland Board of Public Works approved five new agricultural preservation easements on May 6, permanently protecting 534.569 acres of prime farmland in Charles, Caroline and Dorchester counties.
The easements were acquired through the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation (MAPF). They ensure the land remains available for agricultural production and woodland conservation for future generations.
“Every acre we preserve is a promise to our farming families and a vital investment in Maryland’s resilience,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “By securing more than 534 acres, we are strengthening local food systems, supporting rural economies and advancing our ambitious conservation goals while keeping agriculture at the heart of Maryland’s identity.”
In Charles County, the easements help counter development pressure in a rapidly growing area that includes Waldorf and the U.S. Route 301 corridor. Agriculture remains an important part of the local economy alongside defense contracting at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and tourism. Preserving farmland supports local food production, maintains rural character and protects the Chesapeake Bay watershed from further runoff.
The Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation, founded in 1977, has permanently protected 393,000 acres in all 23 Maryland counties. The program purchases easements from willing landowners, compensating them while restricting future development.
Maryland achieved its “30 by 30” conservation goal — protecting 30 percent of the state’s land by 2030 — in May 2024, six years ahead of schedule. The new easements advance the state’s next target of conserving 40 percent by 2040.
The easements are part of a statewide effort to sustain Maryland’s agricultural landscape and support rural economies.
For more information on the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation or agricultural land preservation programs, contact Executive Director Michelle Cable at (410) 841-5860 or michelle.cable@maryland.gov.
