Carrollton Manor Land Trust:

The idea of forming a land trust came about after a group of property owners became involved in the update of the Frederick County Comprehensive Plan for the Adamstown Region, located in southern Frederick County, Maryland.  The citizens realized that with the rapid growth and resulting loss of farmland throughout the area, additional efforts were needed to protect our agricultural heritage and rural landscapes.  On May 9, 2000, the Carrollton Manor Land Trust (“CMLT”) incorporated and the 501(C) 3 non-profit status was received in September 2000.

The goal of the CMLT is to inform the public of the various programs available to help protect farmland and rural landscapes.  Our Board of Directors combines representatives from all walks of life, from farmers to business owners to local citizens, who share a love for the land and an appreciation of the rich agricultural heritage of our region.

The Land Trust works with local property owners, providing information on land preservation strategies and facilitating contacts with potential funding sources. Acquisition of preservation easements is one strategy for protecting land, through direct cash payments to the landowner while preserving the owner’s title to the land. Various tax benefits may also be available that can ease the burden for landowners, while helping to maintain farming as a viable industry in southern Frederick County.

The name for the land trust came from the original tract of land that encompassed more than 18,000 acres during the late 1700’s.  Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was deeded the land through his immigrant grandfather. This vast tract of land, Carrollton Manor, covers much of the present-day Adamstown planning region, bordering the Catoctin Mountains to the west, the Potomac River to the south and the Monocacy River to the east.  The area boasts some of the most fertile land in the state, and was used by the Carroll family to grow tobacco, corn, wheat and other grain products. 

Today’s issues are a world apart from those of Charles Carroll.  Growth and development occurring across the nation, fueled by expanding populations and suburban life styles, demands innovative approaches to land use management. Careful planning of managed growth and supporting infrastructure will be necessary to balance the protection of our diminishing farmland base and rural amenities with the future needs of expanding communities.  Our land trust is part of this process, providing information and support for innovative land conservation strategies.

In September 2000, we joined with the Potomac Conservancy in celebrating our kick-off event during the Potomac Watershed Weekend.  Mayne’s Tree Farm in Buckeystown, Maryland hosted the event and visitors were treated to a tour of a farm that has been in preservation since 1984. The next project for our Land Trust was a Landowner’s Workshop sponsored by the Potomac Conservancy and the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”). Property owners in the Adamstown Region were invited to the historic Carrollton Manor House to learn about land preservation options. From this workshop, several property owners were immediately interested in finding out more specifics about their own possible avenues to place their own land in conservation easements.

An MBA marketing class from Frostburg State University chose the Land Trust as a focus for their fall project and presented a marketing plan to the Board of Directors of the CMLT.  Suggestions on logo design, fund raising techniques, and marketing strategies were presented to the Board in December.

In the spring of 2001, a follow-up workshop with the DNR, the Potomac Conservancy and the CMLT targeted land market professionals (i.e.: lawyers, estate planners, real-estate agents and bankers) in the Frederick area who would benefit from knowledge of potential land preservation opportunities and financial benefits for their clients.

There is much work ahead of us, and everyone is welcome to become involved and contribute.  Our Board of Directors meets monthly at our office in Frederick.  Visitors are welcome with prior notice to Executive Director Joy Clem (301-682-FARM). 

Where we are: