Forms

The most recent version of available forms will be provided here as Adobe Acrobat or portable document format (.pdf) documents and, when possible, as Microsoft Word template documents as a convenience to program administrators and for landowners interested in making specific requests for which they are eligible. Information contained on these forms is useful to understand the review process and the conditions to be met for approval of requests. All requests using these forms must first be submitted to your county’s program administrator for local review. After local review, the county will forward your requests to the Foundation for consideration. Unless otherwise indicated, please do not submit requests directly to the Foundation. Please consult with your local program administrator before using these forms.

Change of Ownership. When the title transfers or otherwise changes on an easement property, please provide a copy of this form to the county program administrator and to the Foundation.

Easement Application and Instructions for Completing the Application to Sell an Easement.pdf
This application to sell an agricultural conservation easement to the Foundation should be completed and submitted with the required documentation to the county program administrator no later than July 1 for the offer cycle of that fiscal year. Offers are usually made by the Foundation late the following winter or early spring.

Baseline Documentation (for use by county program administrators) Program staff is required by MALPF policy to inspect a property before the purchase of the agricultural easement.

Family Lot Release Request. The original landowner whose option contract to purchase the easement was approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works after October 1, 2003, is given a choice when applying to sell an agricultural conservation easement to the Foundation to retain eligibility to request up to three family lots (one lot for the personal use of the owner and/or two or three for the personal use of the owner’s children) or one unrestricted lot. This same choice is available to the original landowner who placed his or her property in a district after October 1, 2003, and who has not sold an easement. If you have chosen the family lot option or if you are a district owner and wish to request a lot release under the family lot option, please use this form to request the release of a family lot.

Unrestricted Lot Release Request. The original landowner whose option contract to purchase the easement was approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works after October 1, 2003, is given a choice when applying to sell an agricultural conservation easement to the Foundation to retain eligibility to request up to three family lots (one lot for the personal use of the owner and/or two or three for the personal use of the owner’s children) or one unrestricted lot. This same choice is available to the original landowner who placed his or her property in a district after October 1, 2003, and who has not sold an easement. If you have chosen the unrestricted lot option or if you are a district owner and wish to request a lot release under the unrestricted lot option, please use this form to request the release of an unrestricted lot.

Tenant House Request. Under current regulations, landowners are eligible to request one tenant house per full 100 acres to be used exclusively by a tenant fully engaged in the operation of the farm. Such a house cannot be used as a rental, as an owner’s dwelling, as a caretaker’s cottage, or by anyone not fully engaged in the operation of the farm. This dwelling cannot be subdivided from the property.

Agricultural Subdivision Request. Under current regulations, landowners can request the subdivision of their property for an agricultural purpose, if the property is at least 100 acres in size, each resulting division is at least 50 acres in size, each resulting division meets the minimum eligibility requirements of the Program, and each resulting division can support an economically viable farming operation. An agricultural subdivision will not be approved for a non-agricultural purpose, such as to settle estates, increase lot sizes, etc.

Monitoring Form (for use by county program administrators). Program staff is required by MALPF policy to inspect at least 10% of MALPF-preserved properties annually and 100% of properties preserved with federal funding commitments. Program staff has a right under the easement to on-site inspections of all MALPF-preserved properties. This monitoring is done either by local county staff and/or State staff. Monitoring usually involves a site inspection and a review of the land records to ensure that the property is in compliance with the terms of the deed of easement representing the restrictions purchased by MALPF and, therefore, the State's interest in the property. Among the issues considered in an inspection are: the status of any new residential structures on the property; the status of the soil erosion and water quality plan; the status of the forest stewardship plan (if required); identification of any off-conveyances from the property, including agricultural subdivisions; any dumping or other stewardship issues on the property; conformity to allowable tenant house usage; and any non-agricultural uses of the property. Such visits are also invaluable to update landowners on changes in the program, to update records on ownership and other property information, and to listen to landowner concerns. A Microsoft Word template version of this monitoring form is also available that can be downloaded and completed on the computer. To download this file on a PC, right-click on the following link and use the command “Save Target As…” To download this file on a Macintosh, hold down the “control” key while clicking the mouse, using the command “Save File As…” MS-Word Monitoring Form Template.

Re-Inspection Form

PDF Version

These forms are public documents and are provided for general information and to facilitate requests. If you have a question about a specific law, regulation, policy, or provision of the district agreement, option contract, deed of easement, or any of these forms, please consult legal counsel.