Countryside Conservancy( SCC), a local land trust based in the Ag Reserve, that informally“ partners” with the much larger Maryland Environmental Trust( MET). SCC itself was in transition, because its founder and Chair, preservation leader Jim O’ Connell, a Barnesville resident, had recently lost his battle with cancer. The new leadership of SCC recognized that MET was better positioned to meet a primary goal of the Menkes: to commit to, document and settle on an easement quickly, so as to let the Menkes stick to their intended plan of putting the farm up for sale in autumn 2025, but only after the easement had been locked in place.
SCC found a willing partner in MET, who had installed one of the first preservation easements in the Ag Reserve, on the Farr( now Pleasant’ s) farm in the late 1970s. MET happily waived its 25-acre minimum, because the Menke farm borders the existing 900-acre MET easement on the Pleasant’ s farm. The new 19-acre easement will
prevent development on the edge of Barnesville from spilling over into the Ag Reserve landscape. SCC coordinated with MET to accelerate documentation. The MET approval process was expedited to meet the Menkes’ schedule, and the easement was recorded as binding in Montgomery County land records on December 4, 2025.
The preservation of farmland and open space was the prime goal in the creation of the Ag Reserve in 1980. Adding up the preservation achievements of the County and State programs, about 24,681 acres have been subjected to permanent easements( 2,281 by MET and 22,400 by other County and State programs). Another 52,000 acres have reduced development value due to the sale of TDRs( transferable development rights). The details of these preservation programs are explained in the PLENTY Summer 2024 article. The Menkes have written a new chapter in land preservation in the County— going inside the boundary of a town to preserve a historic farm in perpetuity, and preventing sprawl on the edge of town.
What Motivated the Menkes? Who will Follow in their Footsteps?
The Menkes are unusual, since most owners of preserved farm land have reaped an economic benefit from one of the County or State programs. The Menkes’ belief in stewardship of a family legacy drove their decision. Many owners of land in preservation programs want to live and farm there and preserve the land for their children. However, there are many landowners who might not realize that State and County programs, and federal tax laws, all provide incentives to keep undeveloped land out of development.
The Farrs were pioneers in 1978, with motives similar to the Menkes. The Menkes are new pioneers, showing that a smaller property can be preserved forever.
Montgomery County’ s Office of Agriculture, the SCC, and MET all stand ready to facilitate preservation easements. Only the SCC does not have a 25-acre minimum, and is prepared to work with smaller landowners to achieve preservation goals. The critical ingredient is a landowner like the Menkes, who believe the land must be shared by present owners with future generations.
John and Meg Menke signing the easement on their farm, with Matthew Ludington of the Maryland Environmental Trust.
Tom Hoffmann is a longtime resident of the Ag Reserve, and is a new Co-Chair of the Sugarloaf Countryside Conservancy, along with Co-Chair Beth Daley. Tom is also a member of the County’ s Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board.
30 plenty I spring sowing 2026