The Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) Small Acreage Next Generation (SANG) program, aims to assist young and beginning farmers in the purchase of Maryland agriculture properties ranging from 10 to 49 acres. This initiative not only helps the next generation of farmers in acquiring land but also places the property under a permanent preservation easement upon settlement.
Local residents, Mike and Lauren Adams from Keymar, were the first couple in Maryland to utilize the SANG program to purchase a farm. Mike and Lauren both grew up in agricultural environments and aspired to become farm owners. While exploring small farms for sale and consulting with County staff about farmland preservation programs, they discovered their current farm listed on the open real estate market. The Adams’ learned about SANG from the Frederick County Agricultural Preservation team and began to pursue their dream with the help of the program.
They secured a long-term sales contract with the sellers and applied to SANG for down payment assistance, with MARBIDCO providing the funding support at settlement. The Adams’ application was approved, and they successfully purchased their farm in June 2021!
SANG has a rolling application deadline with submissions due on the last business day of each month. After applying with local County staff, MARBIDCO reviews the application and notifies the applicant of their acceptance status. If accepted, MARBIDCO orders an appraisal of the farm and offers up to $4,000 per acre to assist with the purchase.
Since acquiring the farm, the Adams’ have worked tirelessly to make the property their own, including renovations to the farmhouse and other structures. They maintain a cow/calf herd and raise meat chickens for the local community in addition to gardening and homesteading for their family. The couple also welcomed the next generation of farmers with the birth of their son, Briggs.
When asked about the SANG program, the couple shared, “We would absolutely recommend the SANG program to others! We could not have bought this farm without it. It was a blessing to find this program when we needed it, and we are so thankful”.
To learn more about Frederick County’s farmland preservation programs, visit https://frederickcountymd.gov/7980/Agricultural-Preservation.