Influences of local and regional population trends and development pressures on participation in Maryland's agricultural land preservation program

Abstract

The paper examines the influences of regional and local population trends and development pressures on landowners' decisions to participate in a voluntary, state-wide agricultural districting and development rights purchase program administered by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF). Population trends in the counties and election districts surrounding the farms of 26 landowners from each of four stages (N=104 farms) of MALPF program participation are examined. The distance of each farm from Maryland's two major metropolitan centers is measured as is the attractiveness of both the county seat and nearest central place. Point biserial correlation analysis is used to differentiate landowners at various stages of MALPF program participation. The findings show support for the hypothesis that higher levels of participation are evident among landowners whose farms are remotely located within counties experiencing rapid population growth.