Residents interested in jobs connected with the Base Realignment and Closure process can learn more during a job fair June 13.

The JTF-GNO Career Information Expo, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kossiakoff Center at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, in North Laurel, will features recruiters from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and the Joint Task Force-Global Network Operation.

The expo is co-sponsored by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Howard County Office of Workforce Development. More than 2,000 people attended a May 15 job fair in Clarksville that focused on federal government and related contracting jobs.

The two agencies are doing more recruiting in anticipation of their relocation to Fort Meade beginning in October 2010. The state expects to get as many as 60,000 new jobs as part of BRAC, about 22,000 of them at Fort Meade, state officials have said.

Candidates are asked to bring résumés as they may be able to do on-site interviews. There also will be workshops on subjects such as building a federal résumé and qualifying for security clearances.

Available jobs will be in areas such as information technology and communications, contract management and administration. A list of available jobs is posted at www.USAjobs.opm.gov.

The event will end promptly at 3 p.m. Pre-registration, at www.disa.mil/conferences, is strongly encouraged.

-- Derek Simmonsen

County accepting new applicants for program

The county is accepting new applications for its Agricultural Land Preservation Program, which offers land owners money for placing a permanent easement on their property.

Applications will be accepted through July 31 as part of "Batch 14" of the program, which will be the 14th enrollment period since the program began. In the previous batch period in 2006, the county bought easements on two farms.

Under the program, the land can continue to be farmed on, but it may never be developed, even if the property is later sold.

The county's general plan calls for preserving 30,000 acres in the rural west, out of which about 25,000 should be agricultural easements. The county currently has about 20,500 acres of agricultural easements, according to the Department of Planning and Zoning.

"Preserving our farmland goes hand-in-hand with protecting the quality of life in Howard County," County Executive Kenneth Ulman said in a statement. "This is a great opportunity for landowners interested in preserving their land for future generations to find out how the program may benefit them."

Property owners can receive a maximum of $40,000 per acre for easements and the county estimates the average offer will be between $25,000 to $35,000 per acre. The money is paid out in installments.

The land must be 50 acres or larger, unless it is next to already protected land, in which case it must be at least 20 acres. Eligible landowners will have their land scored on a system that considers size, soil capability and productivity and whether it is adjacent to other previously preserved parcels.

To get an application or learn more, contact Joy Levy at 410-313-5407 or e-mail her at jlevy@howardcountymd.gov. Information can also be found at www.howardcountymd.gov/DPZ/agriculture.htm.

-- Derek Simmonsen

Disability issues group seeks award nominees

The Howard County Commission on Disability Issues is seeking nominations for its annual awards program.

The awards, which will be given out during an Oct. 1 ceremony, recognize "outstanding efforts in advancing full participation in community life for all citizens," as well as promoting the spirit and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and honoring people who achieve personal goals while living with a disability.

The categories are: employer, service provider, educator, access through universal design, access through community, and individual achievements by adults and youth. Nominees can be a business, a building, an individual or an agency, but all nominees must live, work, be located or provide services in Howard County.

Nominations are due by July 31. Nomination forms and more information on the categories can be found at www.howardcountymd.gov/DS or by calling 410-313-6402.

-- Derek Simmonsen

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