New Workshop Helps Realtors Understand Agriculture and Agricultural Lands

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service (ACReS), Maryland FarmLink, and the University of Maryland’s Center for Agricultural & Natural Resource Policy (CANRP) have partnered with several regional and local Boards of Realtors to offer workshops that promote Realtors’ understanding of Maryland agriculture.

“The major goal of this partnership is to promote understanding and cooperation in agricultural areas through information sharing with Realtors,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “We hope these courses will prevent problems from arising for both farmers and homeowners while fostering mutual respect and support among neighbors.”

The workshop – An Agent’s Guide to Agricultural Land in Maryland – provides Realtors with information about agricultural zoning, land preservation programs, Maryland’s Right to Farm Law, leasing guidelines for farmland, and resources for locating farm land for sale. The course is approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission and provides continuing education credits to Realtors who take it. Each agent who completes the workshop will receive a certificate that allows them to be listed with Maryland FarmLink as a real estate professional with knowledge of agricultural land.

During the next 20 years, there will be nearly a million more people in Maryland — and more than 400,000 additional households. More people will likely be moving near farming communities with Right to Farm Laws and well defined agricultural zoning. Maryland Realtors will play a critical role in finding homes and land for this emerging population; however, selling land near a farm can be a challenge for Realtors who are unaware of the various laws and ordinances that impact the sale of land that is or was an active farm or agricultural area.

Previous courses have been conducted for the Mid-Shore Board of Realtors and the Southern Maryland Board of Realtors. The next course is scheduled for October 24 for the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture in Cockeysville. More workshops will be scheduled in the future.

MDA’s Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service is the official U.S. Department of Agriculture certified agricultural mediation program for Maryland, offering confidential assistance to help resolve agriculture related issues in a productive environment. For more information, see: http://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/acrs.aspx

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