Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation announces 36 properties, more than 2,800 acres preserved in 2025

LAUREL, Del. - The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced the 29th round of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation today, preserving 36 properties comprising more than 2,800 acres at a cost of $14.9 million.

Since the program's inception three decades ago, more than 1,250 First State farms and more than 160,000 acres have been preserved.

Today's announcement, attended by Governor Matt Meyer, Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton, State Sen. David L. Wilson, Sussex County Administrator Todd F. Lawson, Sussex County Councilman Matt Lloyd and other state and local officials, was hosted at the Oliphant Farm outside Laurel. The farm, which includes more than 100 acres, has produced corn and soybeans for the current owners for more than five generations, with the oldest building on the property dating to the 1880s.

Today's event also coincides with National Farmers Day, which is being celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 12.

"Preserving Delaware's rich agricultural heritage and providing incentives for farming families to continue to pass their lands to future generations is a legacy everyone can celebrate as we mark National Farmers Day," Governor Meyer said. "The Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation is a wonderful partner in that process and today's easement announcement continues to build on the work done across several Administrations."

In 1991, the General Assembly passed legislation, signed into law by Gov. Michael N. Castle, to create the framework for the Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation, which oversees the preservation program with staffing support from Department of Agriculture employees. The first funding was allocated in 1995 during Gov. Thomas R. Carper's administration and the first easement selections were made in 1996.

"The Delaware Aglands Preservation Foundation is one of the jewels of the entire First State agricultural community," Agriculture Secretary Clifton said. "The program has been cited as the best in the nation at preserving and protecting farmland for future generations to use and enjoy. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is proud to assist First State residents through this process and our team can answer any questions families may have as they explore their future land-use options."

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation easements are available for viewing through an online dashboard at https://de.gov/agdashboard. The Foundation selects farms approved for easement purchase using an impartial discounted ranking system that maximizes taxpayer benefits.

The Foundation does not own the land but purchases landowners' development rights and places a permanent agricultural conservation easement on the property. Landowners must first voluntarily enroll their farm into a 10-year preservation district and are eligible for permanent preservation the year after they apply.

This year's easements include properties in all three First State counties. Each county government contributed toward the preservation costs of selected easements, with the breakdown below. The Oliphant Farm's easement, as an example, was half paid with Sussex County funds.

• Sussex County: $1,917,156 for eight easements
• New Castle County: $225,769 for one easement
• Kent County: $100,000 for seven easements

"Sussex County is proud to continue its partnership with the State of Delaware in this very worthwhile program, and we're especially excited to be making the largest contribution ever by the County government to ensure agriculture remains visible and viable in the First State," Sussex County Council President Douglas B. Hudson said. "Agriculture is more than our No. 1 industry. It's a way of life, a part of our heritage and our legacy, one that we must do everything in our power to protect for the generations to come."

"New Castle County is pleased to continue our partnership with the state's Aglands Preservation program," said New Castle County Executive Marcus A. Henry. "The inclusion of the Dunning Farm in this round of funding will continue New Castle County goal of preserving agricultural lands, allowing our farming community to remain vibrant and keeping open vistas in our rural areas."

"Kent County is proud to play a vital role in safeguarding Delaware's agricultural heritage," said Kent County Levy Court President Joanne Masten. "By preserving farmland, we're not just protecting open space - we're investing in the future of farming, food security, and the rural character that defines our community."

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation's Board has extended the 2026 deadline for new agriculture district applications to Friday, Oct. 31. Any current district, or new district that applies by the deadline, will be eligible submit an offer for permanent preservation in 2026.

"This is a great time to think about preserving your farm because farmland values are going up, which increases our easement appraisals," said Jimmy Kroon, chief of planning for the Delaware Department of Agriculture. "This means we are paying more than ever for agriculture easements, at least double what we may have paid five to 10 years ago. I'd encourage any landowner interested in farm preservation to call us to have a conversation about what the process is like."

Delaware farmers interested in preserving their farms should be sure they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Property must be zoned for agriculture and not subject to any major subdivision plan.
• The property meets the minimum Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) score of 170. LESA is a process that attempts to estimate the farm's long-term viability based on the farm's soil productivity, land use, and agriculture infrastructure on and around the farm. Scores range from 0-300. Aglands program staff calculate the LESA score when applications are received.
• The property must be working farmland with at least $1,000 in agricultural sales annually and generally have at least 10 acres of cropland.
• Farms of 200 acres or more constitute an agricultural district.
• Farms under 200 acres can enter the program if it is within 3 miles of an existing agricultural district.

For more information or to obtain applications related to the Delaware Aglands Preservation Program, interested landowners can visit https://de.gov/aglands or call (302) 698-4531.

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation's Board of Trustees includes representatives from agriculture and state agencies. Trustees include Chairman Mark Collins (chairman), James G. Vanderwende (vice-chairman), Janice Truitt (treasurer), William H. "Chip" Narvel Jr. (secretary), Dorothy Abbott, Theodore P. Bobola Jr., Robert Emerson, H. Grier Stayton, Agriculture Secretary Clifton and State Treasurer Colleen C. Davis.