PDR programs affect landowners’ conversion decision in Maryland

Abstract

PDR programs pay farmers to give up their right to convert their farmland to residential and other non-farm uses. Does having the option to enroll in such a program affect the a landowner’s conversion decision? Does it encourage land conversion or delay it? And if a farmer does enroll in a PDR program, will the decisions of neighboring landowners be affected? Dr. Towe at the University of Maryland finds out.