ANNAPOLIS (July 30, 2008) - The Maryland Board of Public Works this month approved the purchase of 25 easements protecting 3,087 acres of prime Maryland farmland in 13 counties for over $21.7 million in State and local funding. Of the total purchases, 2 easements were purchased in Charles County consisting of 287.7 acres for a total cost of $2,705,620.13 ($9,401/acre). One easement was purchased in St. Mary's County consisting of 83 acres at a cost of $729,223.00 ($8,786/acre).

No easements were purchased in Calvert County.

This approval brings the total farmland protected in perpetuity by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) in Maryland to 268,778 acres.

Created by the General Assembly in 1977, MALPF purchases agricultural preservation easements that forever restrict development on prime farmland and woodland and has permanently preserved land in each of Maryland's 23 counties, representing a public investment of over $500 million. With county and other state preservation programs, more than 490,000 acres of farmland are protected in Maryland. This is the greatest ratio of farmland preserved to total landmass of any state.

The BPW is comprised of the Governor, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.