American Farmland Trust: Issues & Programs

American Farmland Trust works to protect farmland and make sure farming remains a way of life in Maryland. Our programs, projects and advocacy have impacted communities across the state.

7/2007

Implementation Committee Not Allowing Plan to Sit on the Shelf

It’s been two years since the Maryland Agricultural Commission undertook its ambitious effort to develop a Statewide Plan for Agricultural Policy and Resource Management. When AFT and its partners on the plan—including the Maryland Agro Ecology Center and the Department of Agriculture—made the rounds to 25 agricultural and environmental organizations, they encountered a common refrain: Yes, the organizations would give support but only if the plan would NOT sit on the shelf (like so many others), but would actually be implemented. AFT’s Mid Atlantic States Director Jim Baird attended the first meeting of the statewide plan implementation committee, convened by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance, where Hance vowed to keep the proverbial “ball rolling.”

6/2007

Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and Agricultural Viability

The Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006 focuses on improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay while meeting the economic needs of agriculture. The Act requires funding for both the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industries Corporation and Soil Conservation Districts, recommends increased funding levels for numerous conservation programs, and establishes an “Incentives for Agriculture” Task Force.

5/4/06

Agricultural Stewardship Act Boosts Protection of the Chesapeake Bay, Enhances Agricultural Viability

On May 2, 2006, Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. signed into law HB 2, also known as the Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006 to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay while meeting the economic needs of agriculture. The Act requires funding for both the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industries Corporation and Soil Conservation Districts (MARBIDCO), recommends increased funding levels for numerous conservation programs, and establishes an “Incentives for Agriculture” Task Force.

The Agricultural Stewardship Act also authorizes the establishment of Priority Preservation Areas as recommended by the MALPF Task Force in 2004. Counties are now authorized to include priority preservation areas in their comprehensive plans and are eligible for certification to receive priority preservation funding in FY 2008. The funding will be available for priority preservation area easement purchases, critical farms programs, installment purchase agreement programs or “next generation farmland acquisition” programs. More Information: Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006, MARBIDCO, Maryland Agriculture Land Preservation Foundation.

5/4/06

State Receives $361 Million for Land Conservation in 2007

For the first time in four years, the state received all of the funding ($361 million) from the real estate transfer tax that by law is supposed to be dedicated to Program Open Space, Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund (MALPF) and other land conservation programs. MALPF will receive roughly $61.5 million (17%). MALPF also is expected to receive an additional $28 million in matching money from counties and the Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)—for a total of $89.5 million available for farmland preservation next fiscal year.