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Advisory board forwards 16 MALPF applications after staff recommendation
Summary
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board voted to forward 16 applications to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) for the combined FY-2027/FY-2028 cycle after staff said a 2025 funding cut required combining years; the recommended slate includes 5 Critical Farms and 7 Next Generation properties.
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board voted May 26 to forward 16 applications to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) for combined FY-2027/FY-2028 consideration.
Vice Chair Lisa Gaver moved to accept staff’s recommendation to send 16 applications; Sandra Tucker seconded and the motion passed. Staff told the board the MALPF program — which uses Program Open Space funding — experienced a substantial cut in 2025, prompting MALPF to combine the FY-2027 and FY-2028 application cycles and to limit each county to 16 recommended applications for further review and appraisal.
Staff identified 16 recommended applications from Frederick County, including five properties nominated as Critical Farms and seven nominated under the Next Generation program. Board materials show the county received 36 total applications for the combined cycle.
Why it matters: MALPF funding and selection determine which agricultural lands are prioritized for preservation funding and easement appraisal. Staff noted draft-recommended applications must be submitted to MALPF by July 1, 2026, with final recommended lists due by Oct. 1, 2026. The county’s MALPF recommendations will also be presented to the Planning Commission on July 8, 2026.
Next steps: The county will transmit the draft recommendations to MALPF by the July 1 deadline, and staff will continue settlement work on prior cycles. The board did not receive public comment during this agenda item.
