$1.1 Million State Grant for Rural Legacy
During her weekly press briefing, County Executive Jan Gardner announced that the Maryland Board of Public Works yesterday approved the FY2016 Rural Legacy Program grants, which included $1.1 million for Frederick County’s Mid-Maryland Frederick-Carrollton Manor Rural Legacy Area grant.
“Frederick County did exceptionally well this year in the state’s round of grant awards totaling more than $10 million. We received 10 percent of that total for our Rural Legacy Grant program to preserve Frederick County’s rich agricultural heritage. Our grant will go toward acquiring conservation easements to protect farmland, forestland, view sheds of Civil War historic sites and a greenbelt around the historic Town of Burkittsville. We are proud that Frederick County is in the top ten counties in the United States in terms of agricultural preservation,” said Executive Gardner.
The Maryland legislature appropriated approximately $10.082 million for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Rural Legacy Program for FY 2016 to the top scoring areas in each region that had projects “ready to go.” The Board of Public Works put their stamp of approval on this expenditure in Annapolis yesterday.
Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program provides the focus and funding necessary to protect and preserve large, contiguous tracts of rich land from sprawl development. It also enhances natural resources and provides agricultural, forestry and environmental protection while supporting a sustainable land base for natural resource based industries.
The Rural Legacy Program purchases conservation easements or fee simple interests in real property from willing property owners, based on Rural Legacy Plans that have been reviewed by the Rural Legacy Board.
Protection is provided through the acquisition of easements and fee estates from willing landowners and the supporting activities of Rural Legacy Sponsors and local governments.
To date, over 4,680 acres have been permanently preserved in Frederick County through the Rural Legacy Program.
As to the broader picture, in 2014 the Frederick County Agricultural Land Preservation Program reached a milestone of preserving over 50,000 acres of land. The total as of August 6, 2015, is 51,836 acres.
Executive Gardner also announced that earlier in the week she recognized local growers with a proclamation for National Farmers Market Week. In addition, she introduced FCG-TV and webcasting viewers to the new Maryland Dairy Princess from Frederick County, Ellie Grossnickle. There has not been a Dairy Princess from the county since 2009.
Lastly, Executive Gardner welcomed Katie Albaugh as the new Business Development Specialist for Agriculture in the Office of Economic Development. “When I ran for office, I promised the ag industry that I would make it a priority to fill this position that had been left vacant by the previous administration. Katie will be a great ambassador to keep agriculture viable and prosperous in Frederick County,” commented Executive Gardner.
Information about agricultural preservation programs may be found by visiting www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/agpres. For more details, contact Program Administrator Anne Bradley at 301-600-1474 or via e-mail at abradley@frederickcountymd.gov.
