Board of Public Works Approves Easement Purchases of 965 Acres of Farmland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 21, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the Board of Public Works yesterday approved the purchase of 11 easements protecting 965 acres of prime Maryland farmland in five counties for more than $4 million in State and local funding.  This approval brings the total farmland protected in perpetuity or approved by Board by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) in Maryland to 285,905 acres. The Board is comprised of the Governor, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
“Maryland has one of the strongest agricultural land preservation records in the nation. Each easement purchase builds on our commitment to keep farming a viable and sustainable industry in our state,” said Governor O’Malley. “By working with our local partners through the MALPF program, we will keep Maryland’s future smart, green and growing by helping farmers stay on their land, preserving open space, protecting our environment, and maintaining the rich agricultural heritage of our State.”

Created by the General Assembly in 1977, MALPF purchases agricultural preservation easements that forever restrict development on prime farmland and woodland and has permanently preserved land in each of Maryland’s 23 counties, representing a public investment of over $588 million. With county and other state preservation programs, nearly 564,381 acres of farmland are protected in Maryland. This is the greatest ratio of farmland preserved to total landmass of any state.

According to a survey conducted by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy last year, public opinion supports this investment.  A full 97 percent of respondents believe that it is important that the state preserve farmland for farming.  Marylanders believe that farms and the products they produce should remain a part of the State’s culture and economy.

A summary of Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easement Purchases by County, June 20, 2012, is available online at: http://www.mda.maryland.gov/pdf/06-20-2012_bpw_malpf.pdf.