PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Oct. 7, 2025 – The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board announce the application period for the county’s Purchase and Retirement (PAR) Fund program is now open through Nov. 10, 2025. Established in 1992, the PAR fund program is part of Calvert County’s longstanding effort to preserve agricultural land. Through the program, Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) are purchased, retired and permanently removed from the market to protect farmland from development.

The BOCC recently approved a new purchase price of $6,230 per TDR, which will replace the $6,000 price previously approved in August 2024. The county will offer to buy development rights from willing sellers until TDR funding is exhausted. The annual cycle will conclude prior to the end of the current fiscal year in June 2026. There is no cap on how many TDRs can be sold by an owner.

Current owners of Agricultural Preservation Districts may apply. Applications are ranked by a formula established in the Agricultural Preservation Program rules and regulations.

The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available on the county website at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/CalvertAgPres. Completed applications may be submitted by mail to the Department of Planning & Zoning, attention: Rural Planner Jennifer David, at 205 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or by email to Jennifer.David@calvertcountymd.gov. For more information, email or call Jennifer David at 410-535-1600, ext. 2238.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd.