Anne Arundel County provides opportunities to landowners through an Agricultural Preservation Easement Program that will ensure your land is available for the next generation. Landowners interested in preserving their land from development may qualify for one or more programs offered through Anne Arundel County in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources. Deadline to apply for the Anne Arundel County Program is November 1. To hear more about the programs call (410) 222-7317 or click here.

Overview

Landowners interested in preserving their land from development may qualify for one or more programs offered through Anne Arundel County in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources. The most recent offers made through these programs ranged from $6,000 to $8,000 per acre.

How To Apply

The County has three primary planning documents that establish goals and strategies relating to agricultural and woodland preservation. These include the General Development Plan, South County Small Area Plan, and Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan. These plans are comprised of policies, recommendations, and strategies related primarily to promoting agriculture and forestry as a viable sector of the local economy; encouraging the use of best management practices, to reduce nutrient runoff, and promote healthy streams; discourage the loss of prime agricultural and forest land to development; and working cooperatively with State agencies and property owners to increase the amount of land protected through easement acquisition.

2018 - 2019 Deadlines

• November 1 & April 1 – Anne Arundel County Agricultural and Woodland Preservation Program
• May 1 – Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation
• January - December – Rural Legacy (based on annual funding)

Visit Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks for more information. Download Brochure

ANNAPOLIS, Md., August 8, 2018 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing technical and financial assistance to help farmers in Maryland repair failed conservation practices following recent severe storms and flash flooding. Producers in disaster declared counties including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester must sign up for assistance by August 25, 2018. The funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to address water quality concerns due to failure of ag waste systems, stream crossings, and other in-field conservation practices. NRCS accepts EQIP applications year-round in a continuous signup. But landowners must submit their applications by August 25 to be considered for this disaster repair funding. Farmers should visit with their local USDA service center to apply. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202-720-6382 (TDD).

Maryland Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) Coming Soon

Maryland Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) strategies are being developed this year. Goals have been set by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to reduce nutrients and sediment from entering the Chesapeake Bay. The reduction in nutrients and sediment will be achieved through the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). These goals need to be achieved by the year 2025. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is hosting workshops throughout the state to develop the WIP III strategies. Local Soil Conservation Districts play a large role in achieving these goals within the agricultural community. Anne Arundel will have it’s WIP III workshop on August 30th from 1:30 to 3:30 in conference room 114 at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Headquarters located at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis Maryland 21401. All interested landowners and organizations are encouraged to attend.