Since 1978 Howard County has protected farmland using three strategies.  

• The acquisition of agricultural preservation easements by the County 
• The dedication of agricultural preservation parcels as provided for Inside the County’s zoning legal guidelines 
• The acquisition of agricultural preservation easements by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Basis 

“We’re so joyful to have this property enter the Howard County Ag Preservation Program,” said Mickey Day, Chair of the Agricultural Preservation Board. “It is Amongst The numerous few huge tracts reprimarying and by inclusion in This method, completes an adjoining space of land that Shall be preserved for future generations.”

In June 2019, County Authorities Calvin Ball re-opened the ALPP after This method was shut down for a yr As a Outcome of of a price range shortfall. By working with the Division of Planning and Zoning, the Finance Division, and the Agricultural Preservation Board, Ball was In a place to responsibly restore this important program and replace the scoring system used To Search out out the easement worth. Ball started accepting purposes to the ALPP as quickly as the County Council accredited the revised scoring system in July 2020. The primary property Inside The current acquisition cycle, comprising 35 acres, settled in June 2021. Collectively with the Dickey Farm, there are 5 further properties Inside the acquisition pipeline, totaling 295 acres.