Long-term agricultural leases prioritizing regenerative practices and traditions represent part of a new vision for state land
Photo by Penny Mohr, submitted to the 2019 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is opening a 111-acre agricultural property in Montgomery County to farmers using regenerative practices and traditions that improve soil health, the first step in an effort to expand land access while promoting sustainable agriculture in the state.
Regenerative practices and traditions consist of a variety of farming techniques, drawn from indigenous and traditional land stewardship, that help cycle nutrients in the soil, reduce erosion, restore biodiversity, enhance water quality, and reduce net carbon emissions. DNR is seeking farmers for a long-term lease in Seneca Creek State Park.
“This opportunity is part of a new vision for public lands in the state of Maryland,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “We want some of the state’s agricultural land to serve as a model for how regenerative agriculture can be done in Maryland. This will open opportunities to farmers, while also benefiting the soil and the landscape.”
DNR released a Request for Proposals for long-term agricultural leases on land called the Pierpoint property in the River Road area of Seneca Creek State Park in Poolesville. Interested farmers can apply for the total 111 acres or a portion of the land. Selected applicants would operate for 10 years with the potential option to renew. Applications are due by September 22.
The property is the first announced as part of DNR’s Regenerative Farming Practices and Traditions Program, a new pilot program promoting techniques on state agricultural lands that help improve the overall health of the landscape.
The Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore in 2025, included reforms to support environmentally beneficial farming and allows DNR to grant longer leases to farms that use regenerative practices and traditions.
Farmers interested in leasing the Pierpoint property are asked to follow principles of regenerative agriculture, including minimizing soil disturbance, keeping soil covered, planting a diversity of crops, maintaining living roots, and allowing rotational grazing for livestock where appropriate.
DNR is one of the largest agricultural landowners in the state, leasing about 10,000 acres of state land for farming. These agriculture leases help fund the state park system and other programs.
Opening some of this acreage to regenerative farming practices and traditions would benefit both the land and the farming community in the state, said Sumi Selvaraj, DNR’s environmental justice officer. The regenerative practices will help restore depleted soil in some of these fields, while also lowering barriers for new farmers, historically underrepresented farmers, and farmers interested in trying new techniques.
“Land is expensive, and land access is a leading challenge for historically underrepresented farmers, whether rural or urban,” Selvaraj said. “We want these leases to help Maryland farmers realize their dreams of farming the land here by reducing barriers for entry to accessing land.”
The department also asks applicants for the lease to include plans for public programming or recreational access.
“We’re excited to offer a new opportunity to manage farmland on our public lands, allowing us to add to our always evolving management strategies,” said Jonas Williams, Director of Planning for the Maryland Park Service. “This program will allow visitors to learn about farming and agriculture in their own backyard, or it could even become a place for people to buy produce while visiting a state park. We want these farms to become part of the community.”
The property, near where Seneca Creek meets the Potomac River, is adjacent to the historic Seneca Schoolhouse and close to another historic site, the Seneca Quarry Master’s House. DNR acquired the property in 1972 from Eugenia Pierpoint. The land has remained an active farm since then, because of the site’s prime agricultural soils. The transition to the regenerative practices and traditions program comes after the expiration of the last rowcrop lease.
DNR will score submitted proposals based on adherence to regenerative practices, agricultural experience, rent consideration, and public engagement components.
Additional details on the application can be found on the Regenerative Farming Practices and Traditions Program website. Applicants should submit questions by Tuesday, September 22. DNR will host an onsite, pre-bid meeting Thursday, September 3 at 10 a.m. for any interested parties to view the property and ask questions.
The award or awards will be announced in the fall. The Department of Natural Resources is working to identify other areas that would be a good fit for long-term regenerative agriculture leases, and expects to release requests for proposals for more properties in the upcoming years.
