County Calls for Applications for
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Program
April 1 deadline set
FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick Agricultural Land Preservation Program has opened up an application cycle for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) Easement program. The MALPF program purchases agricultural preservation easements that forever restrict development on prime farmland and woodland. Since the MALPF program began in 1977, it has preserved more than 23,500 acres of farmland in Frederick County.
“One of my priorities is to ensure that we leave a legacy of agriculture for future generations,” County Executive Jan Gardner said. “That means we have to preserve our best and most productive farmland. I’m proud to have accelerated our agriculture preservation initiatives, adding 3,500 acres over the past 15 months, with more in the pipeline.”
MALPF was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1977 and is part of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. MALPF is one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country. The State of Maryland, with the work of the Foundation and its State and local partners, has preserved in perpetuity more agricultural land than any other state in the country.
Interested applicants should contact Land Preservation Planner II Shannon O’Neil at 301-600-1411 or via e-mail at soneil@frederickcountymd.gov.
MALPF is one of several agricultural preservation programs managed by the Frederick County Division of Planning and Permitting. Together, the programs have permanently preserved over 70,000 acres of agricultural farmland, of which 67,118 acres are permanently preserved.
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