Wicomico County Celebrates Major Federal Policy Change to Protect Farmland

Wicomico County is applauding a significant policy shift announced this week by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins that will help protect prime farmland across the nation and here on the Eastern Shore.

On August 19, 2025, in Lebanon, Tennessee, Secretary Rollins—joined by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Representative John Rose, and USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden—announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will no longer allow taxpayer dollars to subsidize solar panels on productive farmland, nor permit solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in USDA-funded projects.

Secretary Rollins emphasized that subsidized solar projects have displaced farmland across the country, driving up costs and making it harder for young and beginning farmers to access affordable land. She made clear that prime farmland should not be sacrificed to solar subsidies and foreign-manufactured panels.

For Wicomico County, this announcement is especially significant. Wicomico leads Maryland in agricultural production by total market value, driven by poultry, grain, and vegetable farming. The county is home to more than 83,000 acres of farmland, according to the Wicomico County Farm Bureau, representing nearly 40% of its total land area. Protecting that land from displacement is critical to preserving both the local economy and Maryland’s agricultural leadership.

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano hailed 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.”– County Executive Julie Giordano

This policy shift represents a major step forward in the nationwide effort to protect farmland and support agriculture. For Wicomico County, it underscores the importance of strong advocacy and the power of local voices being heard in Washington.