The Aglands Preservation Program from the Delaware Department of Agriculture funds permanent farmland protection through voluntary conservation easements that ensure continued agricultural use.
Funder: Delaware Department of Agriculture
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Payment is based on the appraised value of development rights; varies by property and easement negotiation.
Summary: Enables Delaware landowners to permanently protect farmland from development by voluntarily selling their development rights through conservation easements.
The Aglands Preservation Program, administered by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, is designed to conserve Delaware’s farmland by allowing landowners to voluntarily sell the development rights to their agricultural property. In exchange, the land is placed under a permanent conservation easement, ensuring it remains dedicated to agricultural use and is protected from non-agricultural development. This program supports long-term land stewardship and helps maintain the viability of farming in Delaware for future generations.