(5/2022) Critical Farms Program Applications Deadline Set

The Frederick Agricultural Land Preservation Program has opened up an application cycle for the Frederick County Critical Farms Program. The Critical Farms Program assists full-time farmers in purchasing farmland and also works to preserve the land.

Since the Critical Farms program began in 1994, it has assisted 56 farmers in acquiring farms and preserved more than 7,950 acres of farmland. The program was created to help farmers compete with non-farm buyers who oftentimes have resources not available to farmers and therefore are in a more competitive position to buy farmland. Through the program, the County pays the farm buyer for an option to acquire an easement. The option agreement requires the new farm owner to apply to either the state easement program and/or other governmental land preservation programs for a period of five years.

In order to apply, applicants must have a ratified contract of sale on a farm that meets the program’s minimum criteria. Interested applicants should contact Land Preservation Planner Shannon O’Neil at 301-600-1411 or via email at SONeil@FrederickCountyMD.gov by Wednesday, June 1.

Critical Farms is one of several agricultural preservation programs managed by the Frederick County Division of Planning and Permitting. Together, the programs have permanently preserved over 70,000 acres, with 67,602 of those acres permanently preserved.

Power Savers Program Receives $460,000

Frederick County residents can save money by making their homes more energy efficient. Energy audits and energy-efficient home improvements are available at no cost to qualified homeowners through Power Saver Retrofits, a program of Frederick County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources. Improvements and audits are funded through a $460,000 grant that the Maryland Energy Administration awarded to Frederick County this week.

"Making our homes more energy efficient is something all of us can do to make a difference," Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner said. "We save green by going green."

To qualify for the program, households must meet income requirements, based on the number of people living there. For instance, individuals living by themselves qualify if they make $57,750 or less annually, while a four-person household is eligible up to $82,500. For more information about the program, income limits, or to download an application, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/psr or contact Dawn Ashbacher, the County's Sustainability Program Manager, at 301-600-6864 or dashbacher@frederickcountymd.gov.

Pilot Program Assists Vulnerable Homeowners

Frederick County Executive announced the launch of a pilot program to protect the county’s most vulnerable homeowners from the potential loss of their homes. The Third-Party Notification Program permits a homeowner who is 65 or older, or an individual with a disability, to designate a third party to receive copies of their real estate tax bills. The designated third party is not responsible for payment of the taxes or delinquencies, but agrees to check on the property owner to ensure that the tax notices have been received and to encourage prompt payment.

"The Third-Party Notification Program provides a safeguard for homeowners," Executive Gardner said. "A family member or trusted adult can provide reminders so a person does not forget to pay a bill. Taking action now can provide peace of mind for years to come."

Participation in the Third-Party Notification Program is voluntary. There is no cost to sign up a designee. The third party can reside in any state; they do not have to live in Frederick County. Copies of tax bills and delinquency notices can be mailed or emailed to the third party.

Seniors can apply for the Third-Party Notification Program by visiting the County’s website at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Treasury, or by calling the Frederick County Treasury Department at 301-600-1111 to request an application. Completed applications can be submitted to the County through mail or by email. For more information, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/Treasury or call the Treasury Office at 301-600-1111.

Translated Captions During Meetings

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner announced a new service for the county’s 38,000 residents who speak a language other than English that will allow them to more easily engage with Frederick County Government. Public meetings now offer real-time closed captions in more than 100 languages. Captions are available for any meeting that streams from Frederick County’s online engagement hub, PublicInput.com/FrederickCoMd, as the meeting is taking place.

"We are stronger when everyone has a voice in how our county operates," Executive Gardner said. "Translating our meetings helps to ensure we are delivering open, transparent government to all our residents."

To use translated captions, viewers select their preferred language by clicking on the Translate button at the top of the engagement hub. Captions are automatically turned on.

In addition to translated captions, during board or commission meetings that accept public comment, this same Translate button allows people to type a comment or question in their native tongue, and County staff will be able to instantly translate those comments into English.

Community partners that serve non-English speakers have been contacted about the new service so they can share the information with their clientele. These partners include the Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission, the Spanish-Speaking Community of Maryland, the Asian-American Center of Frederick County, the Association of Nigerians in Frederick, Centro Hispano, and the Literacy Council of Frederick County.

Arts Initiatives and At-Risk Youth Supported Through ARP Grants

Frederick County announced six grants to lift at-risk youth and support the community’s economic recovery. Four of the funded programs target the hard-hit performing and visual arts industry through the Frederick Arts Council, while two others assist at-risk youth through the nonprofit I Believe in Me. All six programs are funded with grants through a portion of Frederick County’s $50.4 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation.

"Public art increases tourism and drives economic growth in our main streets and across Frederick County," Executive Gardner said, "and I Believe in Me is creating generational change by lifting up our youth. These one-time funds help our community to recover from unprecedented economic impacts, and allow us to rise even higher as we move forward."

Frederick Arts Council grants:

• Local artists - $200,000 will be distributed in the form of smaller grants to as many as 200 member artists who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Mural projects – Artists will be commissioned to create 15 mural projects in underserved areas that currently lack significant public art. The program includes skills training for emerging young artists. Total grant: $90,000.
• Public art installations – Seven installations will be commissioned, at a total cost of $75,000. The art displays will draw tourists to business districts across the county, helping to spur spending at local restaurants, shops, and hotels.
• Sky Stage– Expanded programming at the open-air venue will generate up to 210 new gigs for artists. The $135,000 grant will be distributed over the course of three years.

Grants to I Believe in Me:

• Passenger van – A new 15-passenger van will be purchased with the $60,000 grant to transport youth to programming and events.
• Activity center library – Books, games, shelves, and furniture will be purchased for a new activity center that the organization is creating. Total grant: $20,000.

Previously approved projects have been reported publicly during the County Executive’s public information briefings and in presentations to the County Council. Additional applications for ARPA funds are being considered by a Frederick County Government review committee to ensure proposals meet strict federal guidelines. Additional information on Frederick County’s ARPA allocation can be found online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ARPA.