Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program (Next Gen)
This grant helps young or beginning Maryland farmers buy farmland by funding part of the purchase in exchange for a permanent agricultural conservation easement to protect the land for future farming.
Funder: Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based-Industry Development Corporation
Due Dates: June 30, 2026 (contact county, Form 1 due) | July 31, 2026 (full application to MARBIDCO; applications due by 4:00 p.m. last business day of each month)
Funding Amounts: Up to 51% of land’s fair market value, max $500,000 per award; typical repayment required after easement sale; program funded through FY 2027.
Summary: Supports young or beginning Maryland farmers in acquiring farmland by providing easement option funding and facilitating permanent agricultural preservation.
Key Information: Applicants must coordinate with county land preservation offices at least a month before applying and secure seller paperwork in advance.
Description
This program assists young or beginning farmers in Maryland who face barriers to farmland acquisition due to high land costs and limited access to capital. The initiative provides up to 51% of the fair market value (capped at $500,000) for farmland purchases, with the expectation that recipients will later sell a permanent conservation easement to a rural land preservation entity. This approach helps both to transfer farmland to the next generation and ensure its long-term preservation for agricultural use. If the permanent easement is not sold within the required timeframe, a designated third-party (county or land trust) will hold the easement, extinguishing development rights on the property.
