HAGERSTOWN, MD (December 1, 2025) – The Washington County Division of Planning & Zoning is proud to announce the recent preservation of a 130.21-acre farm in Clear Spring, bringing the County closer to its milestone of 43,000 acres of permanently preserved land.
The easement, settled on November 21, 2025, was secured through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The preserved farm, located on Spade Road along the Conococheague Creek, operates as a hay, equestrian, and livestock operation and is rich in both scenic and natural characteristics. This newly preserved property strengthens a growing block of conservation land in the area and is expected to support neighboring properties in pursuing their own permanent easements.
CREP remains a vital component of Washington County’s preservation portfolio, accounting for over 2,000 acres and nearly 5% of all permanent conservation easements in the County. The program is funded and administered at the state level by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is locally coordinated by the Land Preservation Office of the Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning. CREP easement proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and may be implemented on properties with existing CREP contracts through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the USDA.
Washington County’s land preservation strategy includes a broad range of programs dedicated to protecting agricultural, scenic, historic, and environmentally sensitive lands. In addition to CREP, these programs include:
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) programs such as the Rural Legacy Program (RLP) and Program Open Space – Stateside
- Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPF)
- The County’s Installment Purchase Program (IPP)
- Local forest conservation easements
- Federal programs including the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) and Federal Scenic Easements
- Partner-supported easements through organizations such as MARBIDCO, Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), Antietam Battlefield Trust (ABT), and Mid-Maryland Land Trust (MMLT)
While state programs historically provide the majority of funding for these initiatives, Washington County has taken significant steps in recent years to expand local investment in preservation efforts, ensuring the long-term protection of the County’s agricultural and natural resources.
For more information about Washington County’s land preservation programs, please contact Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, at 240-313-2447 or via email at [email protected].
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