Queen Anne’s Leads in Land Preservation, Special Thanks to Donna Landis-Smith

Queen Anne’s County has recognized the accomplishments of Donna K. Landis-Smith, who will retire on November 1, 2025, after two decades ofA red barn next to a field of corn dedicated public service preserving the agricultural landscapes that define Queen Anne’s County.

Donna began her career with the Department of Planning and Zoning in 2005 as a Land Use Planner and went on to serve in multiple roles, including Agricultural Specialist, Soil Conservation Specialist, and, most recently, Soil Conservation Aide with the Queen Anne’s Soil Conservation District. Throughout her career, she worked closely with local farmers, state partners, and county agencies to protect and preserve the farmland that sustains Queen Anne’s County’s rural character and economy.

At the October 28th County Commissioner meeting, Donna gave her final update to the county commissioners.

In the past two decades, Queen Anne’s County has invested heavily in protecting its farmland, securing over $100 million in preservation funding from state and county sources. Of that total, $14 million was contributed by the County itself to support programs, including:

  • Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF): $70.5 million – 17,280.7 acres preserved
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Rural Legacy Program): $21.4 million – 4,680.01 acres preserved
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): $1.47 million – 598 acres preserved
  • Pending CREP Settlements: $7.1 million – 1,023 acres anticipated

In total, these efforts have preserved 23,582 acres during her tenure, contributing to over 90,962 acres of permanently preserved agricultural land across the county. With an additional 2,780 acres pending settlement, Queen Anne’s County is nearing its Comprehensive Plan goal of 100,000 acres—and currently stands as the leading county in Maryland for total acres of preserved farmland.

From the county press release:

“Donna’s work represents the very best of public service,” said County Commissioner Jack Wilson. “Her dedication to land preservation has not only protected our farms and natural resources but ensured that Queen Anne’s County’s rural legacy will thrive for generations to come.”