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Wicomico County approves sale of development rights to permanently preserve roughly 686 acres of farmland
Summary
The council unanimously approved a package of Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easement recommendations covering about 686 acres across multiple farms, committing county endorsement to state farmland-preservation purchases.
Wicomico County’s council voted to recommend multiple sales of development rights to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, a package that would permanently protect roughly 686 acres of farmland across the county.
Resolutions approved: Council acted on a multi-item slate (Resolutions 85–92) recommending MALPF serve as purchaser for farms including: Brad Webster (~143 acres, Mill Branch Road, Mardela Springs area), Burbage Farm LLC (~138.38 acres, Powville Road), Robert J. Hearn (~54 acres, Clara Road), James Kelly (~128 acres, Cross Road), Eric Kramer (~46 acres, South Upper Ferry Road), Day Farms LLC / CCW DDD LLC (~93.72 acres, Rounds Road), James Nelson III (~49.98 acres), and John Agnu (~42.9 acres).
Purpose and permanence: County staff and planning boards described the purchases as permanent conservation easements to restrict future development and preserve agricultural use; staff clarified the buy-back or partial buy-back rules and the involvement of the MALPF board in approval should landowners seek adjustments.
Vote and next steps: Council approved the recommendations, mostly unanimously, forwarding the applications to the state review board. Staff will proceed with coordination and any required local documentation.
Why it matters: The vote supports long-term agricultural preservation in Wicomico County by using state-administered easements that limit development rights while supporting ongoing farm operations.
