457 Acres Conserved at Goose Chase Farm Along Choptank River 

To close out 2025 and ESLC’s 35th anniversary year, ESLC celebrated a sizeable, 457-acre conservation easement in Talbot County, consisting of a mix of agricultural lands, forested areas, and wetlands. The owner of the property, Mark Miller, says “I like the farms to be farms. I enjoying seeing them driving down the road and seeing these farms stay the way they are.” 

Located along Kate’s Point Road in Trappe, the property—known as Goose Chase Farm at Kate’s Point— spans three contiguous parcels and has almost a mile and a half of shoreline along the Choptank River. Approximately 159 acres are actively farmed, with grain crops including wheat, corn, and soybeans. Other portions of the property are managed as sunflower fields and wildlife food plots that support the property’s longstanding hunting uses.  

One of the most remarkable features of Goose Chase Farm is its extensive woodland acreage. Roughly 268 acres of deciduous forest dominate the north and northwestern portions of the property, creating high-quality habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including species that have been identified by the State of Maryland as declining and in need of conservation priority. Large, intact forest blocks like these are increasingly rare on the Eastern Shore, making this easement especially meaningful. 

Equally impressive are the property’s wetlands. 25 acres of tidal wetlands lie along the southern and eastern edges of the farm, directly connected to the Choptank and small tributary. One thing that ESLC staff noted was that the wetlands on the property are largely free of invasive Phragmites, which will support healthier native plant communities and improved habitat.  

In addition to the tidal wetlands, the farm also has 5 acres of man-made ponds which Mark says his grandkids enjoy fishing when they come to visit. His 7 grandkids enjoy the property so much that one of his granddaughters requested to have a goose hunting party on the farm for her next birthday party! 

The shoreline of the property is also protected by forested buffer strips. These buffers are at least 100 feet wide and play a critical role in maintaining water quality by filtering runoff before it reaches the river. Buffer standards align with current Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service guidelines and contribute to broader Bay restoration goals. 

From a scenic perspective, the easement also delivers some public benefit. The farm includes approximately 2,600 feet of frontage along the road, giving permanent protection of the agricultural character of the region for anyone traveling along Kate’s Point Road. The same is for anyone paddling or boating up or down the Choptank, as over a mile of the shoreline is now protected forever, preserving the scenic viewshed.  

While this project does not provide public access, it was identified as a priority for conservation by Maryland DNR due to its significant agricultural and natural resource value. Protection of Goose Chase Farm at Kate’s Point was made possible through Program Open Space–Stateside funding, ensuring the long-term preservation of working farmland, natural habitats, and connected landscapes. Conserving this property contributes to a broader network of protected lands that permanently sustain the Eastern Shore’s rural character and natural heritage.