Wicomico County Celebrates Federal Policy Change to Protect Farmland
Wicomico County, MD - Wicomico County officials have praised a major policy shift announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture this week. The change aims to protect prime farmland across the nation and on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Policy Details
On August 19, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins made the announcement in Lebanon, Tennessee. She was joined by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Representative John Rose, and USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden.
The USDA will no longer use taxpayer dollars to subsidize solar panels on productive farmland. The department also will not permit solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries in USDA-funded projects.
Secretary Rollins stated that subsidized solar projects have displaced farmland nationwide. This has driven up costs and made it harder for young and beginning farmers to access affordable land.
She emphasized that prime farmland should not be sacrificed to solar subsidies and foreign-manufactured panels.
Impact on Wicomico County
The announcement holds special significance for Wicomico County. The county leads Maryland in agricultural production by total market value.
Poultry, grain, and vegetable farming drive this production. Wicomico County contains more than 83,000 acres of farmland, according to the Wicomico County Farm Bureau.
This represents nearly 40% of the county's total land area. Protecting this land from displacement is critical to preserving the local economy and Maryland's agricultural leadership.
Local Response
Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano welcomed the announcement as a victory for farmers and rural communities on the Eastern Shore.
"This is exactly why we fight and why we refuse to stay silent. It's why we spent so much time in Washington, D.C. advocating directly with federal leaders. Wicomico County is home to some of the best farmland in Maryland, and protecting it isn't just about open space-it's about safeguarding the ability of our farmers to feed our families and fuel our economy. With this policy change, we're giving our farmers a fair shot and finally putting an end to taxpayer-funded programs that were driving up land prices and making farmland unaffordable for the very people who need it most," stated County Executive Julie Giordano.
Significance of Policy Change
This policy shift represents a major development in nationwide efforts to protect farmland and support agriculture. For Wicomico County, it demonstrates the importance of advocacy and the impact of local voices in federal policy decisions.
