3203 Betheden Church Road

Description

OPEN HOUSE PREVIEW DAYS: Fri, 9/12/25, 1-5 pm & Sat, 9/13/25, 1-5 pm.THIS PROPERTY IS OFFERED THROUGH A SEALED BID OFFERING. BID PACKAGE AVAILABLE THRU LISTING AGENT. LIST PRICE IS THE MINIMUM BID AMOUNT ALLOWED. ALL BIDS DUE BY 5PM ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2025Set in the quiet crossroads community of Klej Grange, this 284.91-acre farm presents a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial, contiguous tract of land in southern Worcester County"just minutes from Pocomoke City & the Pocomoke River. The property features a blend of tillable ground, managed woodlands & natural cover, offering a diverse platform for production agriculture, recreational use, or long-term conservation strategies. With road frontage along Klej Grange Road & expansive acreage under unified ownership, the farm is well-positioned for both operational scale & land-based investment.LAND COMPOSITION- Productive cropland ready for row crop or hay rotation- Mixed pine & hardwood timber stands with wildlife habitat value- Rolling topography with natural drainage & soils common to the Lower Eastern ShoreRESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTThe property includes a custom-built residence constructed in 1989 with Atlantic white cedar siding & a metal roof (installed 2014). This approximately 2,800 square foot home features 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms. Interior highlights include an open-concept first floor with an eat-in kitchen, formal dining room & a sunroom with a built-in spa. The house includes a high-ceiling basement, 10KW Wisconsin engine home generator,attached garage, hot water baseboard heat & central air conditioning. Quality craftsmanship is evident throughout, with custom trim & detailed woodwork. This well-appointed home offers flexibility as a primary residence, guesthouse, or land managers quarters & complements the property's agricultural & recreational character.AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTThis property is subject to a Rural Legacy conservation easement held by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The easement permanently preserves the farm for agricultural use & restricts subdivision & certain development rights in order to protect the rural character & natural resources of the property.Under the terms of the easement, the land must be maintained primarily for agricultural, forestry & open space uses.Forestland management, including selective timber harvesting, is permitted in accordance with a state-approved Forest Stewardship Plan.The construction of additional residential dwellings is prohibited, with the exception of pre-approved agricultural structures or existing improvements. The property may not be further subdivided.A full copy of the easement is available upon request. Buyers are encouraged to consult with legal counsel and/or the easement holder to understand all permitted & restricted uses prior to purchase.HISTORICAL CONTEXTToday, the property is permanently preserved as agricultural land under a Rural Legacy Easement held by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This easement ensures the lands continued use for farming, forestry & habitat protection while offering potential eligibility for tax benefits & conservation incentives.Klej Grange isnt just a dot on the map"it was part of a bold agrarian experiment in the late 1800s. In 1878, Joseph William Drexel, a New York financier & philanthropist, purchased land here & renamed the area after his four daughters"Katherine, Lucy, Elizabeth, and Josephine (K'L'E'J)"adding Grange in homage to the national farming movement. Drexel aimed to build a self-sufficient rural community where farmland could be sold at cost to working-class families. Though the utopian effort faded after his death, the grid he laid out & the agricultural character he seeded remains embedded in this landscape today. This farm lies within that original footprint"a rare link between 19th-century agricultural reform & 21st-century land stewardship.