Frederick County’s Rural Legacy Program has expanded by 173 acres! On September 4, 2024, Laura Pulzone took a significant step by permanently preserving her family’s generational farm, securing its agricultural legacy for the future. This newly preserved property connects with nearly 4,000 contiguous acres of preserved farmland within the county!
Laura is a 4th generation owner of her family’s farm. In 1914, Laura’s great-great grandfather, James Waters, purchased the farm from the Routzahn family. Like many farms in the Middletown Valley, the operation was once a dairy farm. After Laura’s great grandparents discontinued dairy farming, the tillable acreage and pasture was leased to local farmers maintaining their connection to the local farming community.
Why Rural Legacy? Laura and her family have been deeply rooted in the Middletown Valley for generations where they’ve witnessed much of the local farmland being converted for non-agricultural uses. With fond memories of the farm, Laura has long aspired to live on the land that has been in her family for generations. Despite the challenges of owning a farm, the Rural Legacy Program gave Laura and her husband, Eddie, the opportunity to safeguard her family’s legacy by relinquishing the farm’s development rights in exchange for monetary compensation. This funding allows them to re-invest in the farm – updating structures and collaborating with the Frederick County Soil Conservation District on conservation projects to improve soil quality and productivity.
Currently, The Pulzones have a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats, and aspire to acquire some Dexter cattle once fencing and water infrastructure is in place. The Pulzone’s dream is to see the farm restored to its fullest potential with plans to implement rotational grazing practices, restore grassed waterways and employ other drainage management techniques to control weeds and erosion. They aim to preserve the farm as an agricultural resource for the Middletown Valley for many years to come- ensuring a thriving agricultural legacy for future generations.
The Rural Legacy Program is a permanent conservation easement program through the Department of Natural Resources. In Frederick County, there are two designated Rural Legacy Areas – the Mid-Maryland Rural Legacy area near Burkittsville and Middletown and the Carrollton Manor Rural Legacy area near Adamstown. For more information on Rural Legacy and other agricultural preservation programs visit https://frederickcountymd.gov/7980/Agricultural-Preservation or contact Agricultural Preservation Program Administer, Shannon O’Neil at soneil@frederickcountymd.gov. Be sure to stay up to date with Frederick County’s agriculture industry by following us on Facebook and Instagram!