If you are in the Market to purchase
Washington DC Metro Area, or Montgomery County real estate, keep in mind staying abreast of the current events in you’re targeted area is essential. On this note, I wanted to inform you about what’s new in the
Montgomery County MD real estate market.
In January of 2009 Montgomery County managed to reach its agricultural land preservation goal by obtaining 70,000 acres of preserved farmland. An interesting fact to about this goal is that it was reached a year earlier then predicted. The goal of obtaining 70,000 acres of farmland was set in 1989. Now that Montgomery County has reached the goal set by county officials in 1989, they have the highest percentage of preserved agricultural land in the nation. Majority of this County’s farmland are family owned and operated businesses, some that can be traced back several generations.
A Little History about the Agricultural Land Preservation in this CountyIn 1980 the County’s Agricultural Reserve came to life. The first objective that was completed is they made standard policies for farmland preservation. In order to protect these farmlands they established a zoning density of one dwelling per 25 acres and they created effective programs that allowed you to purchase agricultural easements to further protect your land. Then in 1987 the county adopted the County Agricultural Easement Program (AEP), enabling the purchase of county easements. Finally in 1989 Executive Regulations were set to implement Agricultural Easement Program. This is when the county came up with its goal of protecting 70,000 acres of farmland by 2010.
What is the Agricultural Land Preservation Program?Does your family own and operate a farm? If yes, and you want to continue farming and protect your land, the county can help. Currently landowners have a choice of seven different programs, which place an easement on your land preventing future commercial or residential developments on the land.
Available Program for Agricultural Land Owners:- Montgomery County Agricultural Easement Program (AEP)
- Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF)
- Maryland Environmental Trust (MET)
- Montgomery County Transfer of Development Rights Program (TDR)
- Montgomery County Rural Legacy Program (RLP)
- Legacy Open Space Program (LOS)
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
One final fact about the agricultural market in this community is that it’s composed of roughly 577 farms and 350 horticultural industries. These industries produce roughly $251 Million in economic contributions.
