HAGERSTOWN, MD (May 28, 2025) – The Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning is proud to announce the permanent preservation of a 102.62-acre grain farm along Old National Pike in Hagerstown. Finalized on May 12, 2025, this achievement was made possible through funding from Washington County and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF).
The preserved property, part of a productive grain operation featuring rolling hills, scenic views, and deep historic character, was secured through the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPP). With this easement, the County’s total permanently protected farmland now exceeds 42,600 acres.
“This preservation effort not only protects a valuable agricultural resource but also strengthens our commitment to long-term farmland conservation,” said Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator. “This land will remain in agriculture forever and will serve as a model for future preservation in the area.”
MALPP remains Washington County’s leading land preservation initiative, currently accounting for nearly 17,000 acres—or 39%—of all permanently preserved land in the County. Funded and administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s MALPF and locally managed by the Land Preservation Office within the Department of Planning & Zoning, MALPP provides landowners the opportunity to voluntarily protect their farmland. Applications are accepted annually by July 1, with offers typically made the following March. This latest easement is the fifth to be finalized in the Fiscal Year 2024 cycle.
Washington County’s broader land preservation strategy includes several state, federal, and local programs, such as the Rural Legacy Program (DNR), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Project Open Space Stateside, the County’s Installment Purchase Program (IPP), and partnerships with organizations like the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), MARBIDCO, Antietam Battlefield Trust (ABT), and Mid-Maryland Land Trust (MMLT).
For more information about land preservation programs in Washington County, contact Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, at 240-313-2447 or [email protected].
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