ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Board of Public Works has given the green light to permanently protect 11 working farms spanning nearly 1,500 acres through new conservation easements.
The Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation secured approval for these easements on February 20, 2026, which will forever safeguard 1,479 acres of valuable agricultural land. The protected properties are located throughout Anne Arundel, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, and Talbot counties.
This latest action represents Maryland’s continued dedication to maintaining its farming heritage and ensuring productive agricultural land remains available for future generations. The conservation easements prevent development on these working farms while allowing agricultural operations to continue.
The preservation effort spans multiple Eastern Shore counties that are part of the Delmarva Peninsula’s rich agricultural landscape. These protected farms contribute to the region’s economy and help maintain the rural character that defines much of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
