PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert’s program to purchase and preserve local farms can continue this year and is accepting applications with an approximate $1,500 price increase per Transferable Development Right (TDR), as of the Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) Sept. 30 vote.
The Purchase and Retirement (PAR) Fund was established in 1992 to “purchase, retire and permanently remove TDRs from the development rights market, thereby protecting additional farmland acres from development.” The TDR Reserve is a county-managed program that facilitates TDR sales between farmers and developers and acts as a revolving fund.
There is nearly $10.3 million available for PAR Fund purchases and $655,630 available for the TDR Reserve in the budget for fiscal year 2026.
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board (APAB) recommended a purchase price of $6,230 per TDR for the fiscal 2026 PAR cycle and the TDR Reserve. The APAB assessed TDR and land values when establishing its recommended price and reviewed the value of recent private market sales of TDRs. Private market sales of TDRs in the county program averaged $5,000 per TDR in calendar year 2024 and $4,671 in the first half of 2025, according to the memo submitted by Planning and Zoning.
Commissioners asked for clarification on the price increase compared to the last fiscal year. Rural Planner Jennifer David said APAB considered market rates and inflation when setting the current price per TDR.
“They felt that the landowners needed to be fairly compensated,” David said.
The BOCC voted unanimously to continue the program and open the application period for this fiscal year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!