Board of Public Works Approves Easement Purchase on 139 Acres of Farmland

Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the Board of Public Works (BPW) approved $349,350 for the purchase of an easement protecting 139 acres of prime farmland in Kent County. This approval brings the total farmland protected in perpetuity by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) to 285,827 acres. The BPW 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 proves 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 more than $590 million. With county and other state preservation programs, nearly 778,112 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 at the University of Baltimore last year, public opinion supports this investment. A full 97 percent of respondents say they believe it is important the state preserve farmland for farming.