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<section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-504.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In each county containing productive agricultural land, the county governing body shall appoint an agricultural preservation advisory board.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall be owner–operators of commercial farms who earn 50 percent or more of their income from farming.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In Worcester County, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of seven members, at least four of whom shall be owner–operators of commercial farms who earn 50 percent or more of their income from farming.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>In St. Mary’s County, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall be actively pursuing the production of agricultural products for profit.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, each member of an agricultural preservation advisory board shall be appointed for a term of office of 5 years.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In Charles County and in Worcester County, a member shall serve a term of office of 4 years.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>In Howard County, a member shall serve a term of office of 3 years.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>No member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>Duties of each agricultural preservation advisory board shall be:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>To advise the county governing body with respect to the approval of purchases of easements by the Foundation within the county;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>To assist the county governing body in reviewing the status of land under easement;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>To advise the Foundation concerning county priorities for agricultural preservation;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>To approve or disapprove an application by the county for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>To promote preservation of agriculture within the county by offering information and assistance to farmers with respect to the purchase of easements;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>To meet at least annually with forest conservation district boards in order to work cooperatively to encourage the promotion and retention of farmland and woodland in their respective jurisdictions; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>To perform any other duties as assigned by the county governing body.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
