Inside Anne Arundel’s plan to make preserving farmland more lucrative

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

The Anne Arundel County Council approved changes to its Agricultural and Woodland Preservation Program, increasing payments to landowners from 60% to 70% of appraised land value and lowering the minimum eligible farm size from 50 to 30 acres. These adjustments aim to make the program more competitive and accessible, potentially adding around 100 new farms to preservation efforts and strengthening protection against development pressures.

The Anne Arundel County Council approved an expansion of its Agricultural and Woodland Preservation Program on Monday, aiming to make farmland preservation more financially attractive to landowners. The program, established in the 1990s, compensates farmers who agree to keep their land free from development, thereby maintaining open space within the county.

Under the new legislation, Bill 55-26, two primary changes were introduced. First, the amount paid to landowners enrolled in the program will increase from 60 percent to 70 percent of the land’s appraised value. This adjustment narrows the gap with a similar state program, which reimburses 75 percent but often takes between two and four years to process payments. According to Michael Stringer, director of the county program, the county can provide payments within a year, offering greater immediacy despite the lower percentage.

Second, the minimum farm size eligible for participation in the county program has been reduced from 50 acres to 30 acres. Previously, both state and county programs required a minimum of 50 acres, restricting smaller farm owners from participating in the county program. The adjustment now allows farmers with parcels between 30 and 50 acres to enroll exclusively in the county program. Stringer estimates that approximately 100 additional farms may now qualify, enhancing preservation opportunities throughout Anne Arundel County.

Deana Tice, president of the Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau, praised the revisions, stating they will help the program remain competitive and responsive amid mounting development pressures. “The need for strong farmland preservation tools have never been greater,” she said.

Since their inception, the county and state programs have collectively preserved nearly 14,900 acres of land in Anne Arundel County—investing approximately $83 million over 46 years. The county has expressed a goal of preserving 20,000 acres of farmland; however, no specific timeline has been set for reaching that target. Last month, the county allocated close to $2 million to secure the preservation of 192 acres in Gambrills.

The bill received six votes in favor and one abstention from Republican Councilman Nathan Volke of District 3, who represents Pasadena. During public comments, local farmer Kayla Griffith of Lothian expressed support, noting that the program’s changes offer her a chance to acquire smaller parcels of farmland at a time when prices are high. “Without it, I would be unable to afford any more land,” she said.

The program’s expanded payout was made possible by an increase in its fiscal year 2027 budget, which officials say will help sustain the program’s efforts to protect agricultural lands amid ongoing development challenges.

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