The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program, in existence since 1977, is one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country. Its primary purpose is to preserve sufficient agricultural land to maintain a viable local base of food and fiber production for the present and future citizens of Maryland. For a full view of the Program, please read the fact sheets described below. Fact sheets are now available as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files and will open in a new window.

Fact Sheet 1 – "Eligibility for the Easement Acquisition Program" – describes the restrictions on your property you would be selling to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) and the eligibility criteria to apply to sell an easement on your property.

Fact Sheet 2​ – "The Easement Acquisition Process" – describes MALPF's easement acquisition process from application to settlement.                

Fact Sheet 3 – "Determining Your Asking Price" – describes how to determine your "asking price" in applying to sell an easement to MALPF.
 
Fact Sheet 4 – "Payment Options for Selling an Agricultural Preservation Easement" – describes the three payment options available when you sell an easement to MALPF.
       
Fact Sheet 5 – "Facilitating the Settlement of an Agricultural Preservation Easement" – describes measures you can take to expedite the process of selling an easement to MALPF.
       
Fact Sheet 6 – "Retained Residential Lot Options on Easement Properties (post-October 2003)" – details the eligibility you retain to request that a family lot or pre-existing residence be released from easement restrictions for your or your child's personal use OR, alternatively, an unrestricted lot or pre-existing residence be released from any easement restrictions.  This discussion applies only to post-October 2003 easements, and its specific application depends upon the language in your deed of easement.
       
Fact Sheet 7 – "Retained Residential Lot Options on Easement Properties (pre-October 2003)" – details the eligibility you retain to request that an owner's or child's lot be released from easement restrictions for your or your child's personal use and that a pre-existing residence be released from any easement restrictions.  This discussion applies only to pre-October 2003 easements, and its specific application depends upon the language in your deed of easement.
       
Fact Sheet 8 – "Review and Approval Criteria and Process for Lot Release Requests" – details the criteria and procedure for the review and approval for requests for lot releases from agricultural preservation easements held by MALPF.
       
Fact Sheet 9 – "Tenant Housing on Agricultural Preservation Easement Properties" – details the eligibility you may have to request a tenant house to support the economic viability of your farming operation.  It also describes the procedure for the review and approval of a tenant house request by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
       
Fact Sheet 10 – "The Agricultural Subdivision of MALPF Easement Properties" – details the eligibility you may have to request the agricultural subdivision of your MALPF easement property.  It also describes the procedure for the review and approval of an agricultural subdivision request by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
       
Fact Sheet 11 – "Allowable Uses of MALPF Easement Properties" – describes the allowable uses of MALPF easement properties and the process for requesting non-traditional farm-related and farm-supporting uses and home occupations.
       
Fact Sheet 12 – "Small Properties in the Agricultural Land Preservation Program" – describes how the MALPF program works and its limitations for owners of small properties interested in participating in the program.
       
Fact Sheet 13 – "Subsequent Owners of Agricultural Preservation Properties" – describes the benefits and restrictions to the current owners of MALPF easement property.
       
Fact Sheet 14 – "Agricultural Preservation Districts" – describes the restrictions and benefits associated with agricultural preservation districts and their future role in the MALPF program.
       
Fact Sheet 15 – "Tax Considerations in Selling or Donating Your Easement" – describes some of the tax issues surrounding the sale or donation of an agricultural preservation easement to the MALPF program, including potential tax implications, the range of potential tax implications, the range of potential benefits, and the requirements for establishing a charitable contribution.
       
Fact Sheet 16 – "Forestry and the Agricultural Land Preservation Program" – describes the importance of productive forest land to the MALPF program, and how forestry is addressed.      
       

Fact sheets are public documents and are provided for general information purposes only.  If you have a question about a specific law, regulation, or provision of the district agreement, option contract, or deed of easement, please consult legal counsel.