HAGERSTOWN, MD (October 23, 2019) – The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) would like to inform the citizens of Washington County that their Board of Directors has voted to re-open the Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program (NGFAP) on November 1, 2019. The program will operate on a monthly cycle while funding is available, opening on the 1st of the month with applications due at the end of the month. MARBIDCO is currently updating the application package, which will be available by November 1st on their website ( www.marbidco.org ).  

NGFAP is open to any person who has never owned more than 20 acres of land and is looking to purchase a farm. MARBIDCO joins the successful applicant at settlement on the property and provides 51% of the value of the land as a down payment for the property. Once the landowner has settled on the property, they have seven years to procure a land preservation easement. The successful landowner does, however, have the option to buy back out of the NGFAP program prior to the seven-year deadline if they wish.  

Any questions regarding the NGFAP program, or any other land preservation programs that the County offers, may be directed to Chris Boggs, Land Preservation Planner, by phone at 240-313-2447 or via email at cboggs@washco-md.net .

For additional information, please contact Washington County's Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380.

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