Farmland preservation program could increase Carroll County property values

Farmland conservation in Carroll County will take a giant leap forward in 2007 as some 3,000 acres will be permanently set aside for conservation.

The county will spend more than $11.5 million to buy the development rights on the ever-shrinking stock of farmland in the once-rural area of central Maryland. The money includes $3 million in bond revenue, $6.2 million in property taxes, $500,000 in agricultural transfer taxes and $1.8 million in state funds.