Frederick County Now Accepting Applications For Critical Farms Program

It helps farmers purchase and preserve farmland.Frederick, Md (KM) Applications are now being accepted for Frederick County’s Critical Farms program. That provides assistance to farmers who want to buy property, but can’t compete against other buyers who have more resources. It also helps to preserve agricultural property.The County says the Critical Farms Program was created in 1994, and has helped with the transfer of ownership of 65 farms with a total land size  of 9,622 acres.Through the Critical Farms Program, the County pays a farmer to purchase an option to acquire an easement on the property. This option agreement requires the farmer to apply to the state easement program or any  other government land preservation program  during a five-year period.Anyone who wants to apply must have a contract of sale on the property they want to purchase. The deadline is Friday, January 31st, 2025 at 5:00 PM.For more information, go on line to www.frederickcountymd-land-preservation-agriculture.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/46979. or call Beth Ahalt, Frederick County’s Agricultural Preservation Program Specialist, at 240-549-2125;  or send to e-mail to BAhalt@FrederickCountyMD.gov.By Kevin McManus