Washington County Preserves Over 250 Acres of Farmland

Washington County, Maryland has officially preserved an additional 256.57 acres of farmland, marking a significant step in the county’s ongoing commitment to protecting its agricultural heritage and rural character. The newly established conservation easement, finalized on July 29, 2026, is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Rural Legacy Program (RLP). This latest preservation effort brings the total acreage of permanently protected land in Washington County to nearly 44,000 acres.

The preserved property, situated on Taylors Landing Road in Sharpsburg, encompasses a diverse landscape including productive cropland, pasture, and woodland. Its conservation is noted for protecting significant scenic, historic, and natural resources. The land is part of a larger contiguous block of thousands of acres of preserved land in the region, which is expected to encourage neighboring landowners to pursue similar conservation initiatives. The Rural Legacy Program, administered locally by the Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning’s Land Preservation Office, is a cornerstone of the county’s land preservation strategy. With this new addition, the RLP now safeguards over 10,000 acres within Washington County, representing more than 22 percent of the county’s total permanently preserved land.

The Rural Legacy Program facilitates the preservation of agricultural, historic, and environmentally significant lands across Washington County. Farms interested in participating in the program can apply annually, with applications typically due by January 31. The county then extends offers to successful applicants in the subsequent fall. This particular easement was secured through the Fiscal Year 2025 application cycle. The county emphasizes its dedication to a comprehensive land preservation strategy that extends beyond the Rural Legacy Program.

This strategy integrates various state and federal initiatives, including Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Program Open Space–Stateside programs, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) program, and federal programs like the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) and Federal Scenic Easements. Additionally, Washington County actively partners with organizations such as MARBIDCO, MET, ABT, and MMLT to enhance its preservation capabilities. While state funding plays a substantial role in these efforts, Washington County has also made considerable financial investments in recent years to bolster its local land preservation programs and reinforce its commitment to safeguarding agricultural land, natural resources, scenic vistas, and the overall rural identity of the county for future generations.

For those interested in learning more about Washington County’s land preservation programs, information can be obtained by contacting Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, at 240-313-2447 or via email at cboggs@washco-md.net.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Government.

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