Accomplishments As of May 2011

Purpose.... Harford County's agricultural land preservation program offers many voluntary programs to land owners of productive farm land.  This allows land owners to preserve productive agricultural farmland for future generations through the use of conservation easements.  This deed of easement is recorded with the deed restricting further residential subdivision and potential non-agricultural uses on the easement property.

Harford County's Mission.... Harford County's mission is to permanently preserve large amounts of farmland for future generations of farming.  This allows for the production of food and fiber for Harford County and neighboring Maryland counties.

Eligibility…. In addition to having at least one additional development right, properties must be at least 50 acres in size, adjoin other protected lands, or have been actively farmed in the past ten years.  Parcels must also be at least 50% Class I, II an III soil types.

County Districts.... The County district program was established in 1993 and is a minimum 5 year agreement to not subdivide the property.  Properties can be enrolled at any time and receive $50 per acre, up to 50%, whichever is less  towards the County portion of the real estate taxes while remaining in the district. After the original 5 year period is over, property owner(s) can discontinue participation in the District Program at any time. It will, however, be necessary for the property owner(s) to repay all accrued tax credits to Harford County Government.

County Easements.... An Agricultural Land Preservation Easement is a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program that, other than very specific and limited reserved rights, permanently retires all development potential of a particular property and maintains it for agricultural production.  The Harford County easement program was established in 1993 and is recognized throughout the United States for its use of innovative funding sources, payment options, and a timely manner of settlement.  The program is funded by dedicating ½ of the1% tax assessed on all real estate transfers county wide.

Applications are submitted and ranked according to a 300 point scale which assigns more favorable points to size, soil quality, percentage of crop land, development potential, conservation practices and connection to preserved properties.  At the same time, the easement price is determined by an easement valuation formula which quantifies the ranking items previously used and has caps set for dollars per acre and dollars per development right. Landowners are then notified of their score and easement price offering.  An open list of all ranked properties is maintained and offers are extend two times each year, depending on availability of funds.

Payment options are limited to Installment Purchase Agreements (IPA), which allows the County to leverage and extend the dollars available.  IPA’s provide a tax free income stream for the life of the agreement with a lump sum principal payment at the end of the term.  Also, for participation in the easement program, the landowner receives a 100% County property tax credit with a $50 per acre cap.

Donated Easements - We now have the option to accept donated easements. Landowners may receive tax credits and can take advantage of other preservation benefits. Please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning for more information.

Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) Easements.... The MALPF conservation easement is similar to Harford County’s, restricting further subdivision and leaving it in agriculture production.  As with the Harford County easements, specific and limited development rights are retained for use by immediate family members.

The easement value is determined through a formula using real estate appraisals, agricultural land value, the owner(s) asking price, and a tabulated discounting ratio.  The farms are than ranked against each other using the county scoring formula and offers are made to utilize funding allocated to the county by the state for that granting cycle.  Properties not receiving direct offers can also compete for statewide funding based on their willingness to discount their easement value.  A variety of payment options are provided, including lump sum and IPA’s and the property receives the 100% county property tax credit, up to $50/acre

MALPF easements are held by the State of Maryland and all settlement and administrative functions are processed through the MD Department of Agriculture.  County staff serves as a liaison between landowners and the MALPF administration.

Maryland Rural Legacy Program.... The Rural Legacy Program is a unique approach to land conservation created to protect Maryland's best remaining landscapes and natural areas.  In addition to agricultural value, evaluation criteria are based on specifically delineated geographic areas and environmental importance.  Individual Rural Legacy Areas apply for and receive separate grants through the MD Department of Natural Resources.  Rural Legacy easements include specific resource protection conditions as well as the permanent retirement of development rights.

Properties accepting a Rural Legacy easement receive a lump sum cash payment at settlement and are also eligible for the 100% county property tax credit, up to $50/acre.

Donated Easement Program.... Harford County does have the ability to accept donated conservation easements, either directly or through private Land Trusts, with provisions similar to the County PDR program.  This allows the landowner to save in perpetuity the farm and at the same time be eligible for certain estate, capital gains and income tax benefits.

Financial & Estate Planning.... There are many incentives to protect farms and to allow farms to pass to future generations.  The combination of estate and income tax planning with land preservation funds, and property tax credits, allows the farm owner to maintain income, without having to give up land for development 

For Additional Information, contact:

William D. Amoss,
Chief, AG Preservation Section
Telephone 410-638-3235
wdamoss@harfordcountymd.gov

Ned Sayre,
AG Preservation Outreach Specialist
Telephone 410-638-3226
ehsayre@harfordcountymd.gov

Harford County Government
Department of Planning and Zoning
220 South Main Street
Bel Air, Maryland 21014

1.  HOW MANY ACRES DO I NEED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM?

In the County and State programs, a Landowner needs at least 50 acres.

For Additional Information Reference Website:
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/agriculture/LandPreservation.html

2.  WHAT IS THE AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM?

The Harford County Agricultural Land Preservation Program protects productive agricultural land and woodland providing for the continued production of food and fiber. This supports the vital role of agriculture in our economy.

3.  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF PUTTING A FARM IN THE AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM?

A land owner will receive payment for selling their development rights and / or a tax credit.

For Additional Information Reference Website:
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/agriculture/LandPreservation.html

4.  WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT AND AN AGRICULTURAL EASEMENT?

A District is a commitment by the landowner not to develop their land for a minimum of 5 years and allows for a property owner to be qualified for $50 per acre, up to 50%, whichever is less, from County Real Property Taxes. Following purchase of development rights from the land owner by the State or the County, the farm is subject to an easement which prohibits development in the future.

For Additional Information Reference Website:
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/agriculture/LandPreservation.html