# Anne Arundel nears 20,000 acres farmland goal

> County council approves easements to protect 15,000 acres of farmland.
- Title: Anne Arundel nears 20,000 acres farmland goal · The Banner
- Summary: County council approves easements to protect 15,000 acres of farmland. Anne Arundel County preserved 15,000 acres of farmland through easements with state…
- Keywords: anne arundel county, maryland agricultural land preservation, easements, farmland preservation, county council, development easements, agricultural land, news, local, Anne, Arundel, nears
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/anne-arundel-agricultural-preservation-goals-WO6O7M3RENGVPFAROBM7WXJFVI
- Author: Cody Boteler
- Published: 2026-09-22T16:21:39.871+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anne arundel county, maryland agricultural land preservation, easements, farmland preservation, county council, development easements, agricultural land, news, local
## County council approves easements
Anne Arundel County Council voted to approve easements for four farms.
## Preserved farmland reaches 15,000 acres
The easements bring preserved farmland to over 15,000 acres.
## Easements protect land use
Landowners stay on property but sell development rights in perpetuity.
## State and county share costs
State pays $2 million, county pays $1 million for four easements.
## Economic benefits for landowners
Easements provide value before passing farms to next generation.
## County executive supports preservation
County executive says easements save money versus converting land to parkland.
## Goal remains challenging
Finding another 5,000 acres to reach 20,000 acres becomes harder.
## Key takeaway

Anne Arundel County preserved 15,000 acres of farmland through easements with state program, meeting 1990s goal of 20,000 acres.