Agriculture is a significant part of Prince George’s County, both as an industry and as a contributor to the County's character. Farming has historically been Maryland’s number one industry and still is today. That economy adds millions of dollars of income to the citizens of Prince George’s County. Therefore serious efforts are underway to protect our agricultural lands and rural character.

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District administers the County’s Agricultural Preservation Programs. In the past two years a total of 565 acres of prime farm land has been perpetually protected from development and an additional 3500 acres have applied to be protected. The land will be preserved forever as productive farm land, woodland, wildlife habitat and open space that shall keep a part of the County’s rural heritage alive. In the future many more farms will be preserved with help from these programs.

Prince George’s County is unique in that the agricultural preservations programs are administered by the local Soil Conservation District and not by the planning department. The District promotes and administers the activities of three different land preservation programs.

 The Prince George’s Purchase of Development Rights Program  

 The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program

 Rural Legacy

Each of these programs accomplishes the same goal of preserving farmland and open space for future generations. Offering a variety of programs, ensure most rural landowners will be able to qualify. Each program has different eligibility requirements and different easement options.

MALPF: www.malpf.info/

Rural Legacy: www.dnr.state.md.us/rurallegacy/

University of Maryland Taxes and Land Preservation:
 www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=139

American Farmland Trust: www.farmland.org/

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-ecology, Inc.:
  www.agroecol.umd.edu

Prince George’s County GIS: www.pgatlas.com