 | | County Executive Jim Smith promotes the agricultural and horse breeding industry. |  | | Volunteers have helped to bring the idea of an Agricultural Center into reality. |  | | A final master plan is now complete for this site. |  | | The development of the site will maintain the look and feel of a farm. |
Baltimore County is developing an agricultural resource center on a 149-acre property located at 1114 Shawan Road, on the corner of Shawan and Cuba Roads. The Center will consolidate many of the support services for the agricultural community, promote the future sustainability of the agricultural industry, serve as an educational resource center and field destination for school children and adults, and provide open space benefits of walking and equestrian trail riding. The Center will be designed to look and feel like a farm from the architectural design of the buildings to the presence of field and livestock operations. Baltimore County would like to recognize the invaluable assistance of the National Park Services' Land and Water Conservation Fund "State Assistance Program" and the State of Maryland's Program Open Space (POS). The National Park Service provided over $1 million and POS over $2.1 million towards funding the Agricultural Resource Center's site acquisition, design and construction. The Maryland New Farmer Trainee Program is recruiting new farmer trainees for next year's program. The program provides new or beginning farmers with a combination of hands-on experience and classroom knowledge over a one-year period with the goal of giving them the skills they need to start their own farm operation. Next year's program mentors will again be Jack and Becky Gurley from Calvert's Gift Organic Farm, and new to the program, Greg and Karen Lambrecht from Serpent Ridge Vineyard. We are looking for post college graduates with farming experience and a serious interest in farming as a career. Trainees will attend approximately eight 2-hour workshops; attend an agricultural conference, participate in farm tours, and train 6-hours one day a week from April through October 2010. A small stipend may be paid to the trainees (funding dependent). Resume's and references (four copies each; for references list at least three names with contact information) may be sent to Maryland Agricultural Center Extension Office, 1840 York Road Suite J, Timonium, MD 21093, or questions may be directed to Cathy Tipper at crtipper@aol.com by October 30, 2009. The Center will be home to the support services for the agricultural community by housing the offices of: - Baltimore County Soil Conservation District
- Maryland Cooperative Extension Baltimore County Office
- United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
- United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency (FSA)
The Center will house the headquarters of the: - Maryland Horse Breeders Association
Organizations that have expressed interest in utilizing the Center for meetings and activities include: - 4H Clubs
- Maryland Wineries Association
- Master Gardeners
- Central Maryland Beekeeper Association
- other agricultural organizations
In the winter of 2003, a group of concerned farmers and others met and decided to work towards the acquisition and development of a centrally located agricultural resource center. It was envisioned as a facility that could provide a variety of services that the agricultural community needs to remain viable in Baltimore County. In 2004, the Baltimore County Agricultural Resource Center, Inc. was formed as a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The group's efforts centered on the identification of a property situated in a central north county location that would be convenient to the general public and large enough to provide a variety of agriculturally related services. With the County's acquisition of the site, the group is now focused on the development and implementation of programs as well as promotion of agricultural resources. For over seventy-five years, Baltimore County has been home to The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA), the leading thoroughbred horse industry advocate in Maryland (MHBA). The County is pleased by the prospect of the group locating its headquarters at this property. Their plans include the development of an educational library and a museum dedicated to the proud heritage of Maryland-bred horses. The Maryland Horse Breeders Association is looking forward to working in Baltimore County for at least the next seventy-five years. Baltimore County has completed a Site Plan (PDF) for the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture. A copy of the full Master Plan report (18MB) for the development of the site is also available for download. The Center will architecturally reflect Baltimore County's traditional farmstead, but with up-to-date facilities to support a variety of activities. After the core facilities are in place to support the agricultural services, supplemental facilities are planned.
Farm Life - The property will be designed to function as a farmstead. As such, there will be barns, livestock stalls and pastures, crop operations, a farm manager's house and a farm life demonstration area. Education - The Center will provide hands-on learning about agricultural practices, as well as educating the public on the importance and economic benefits of local food production and other agricultural activities. Demonstration - The Center will include information and demonstration areas on numerous subjects including gardening, forestry, and beekeeping. Equestrian - To accommodate activities such as clinics, seminars, competitions and demonstrations, an indoor riding facility and an outdoor riding ring are planned. Recreation - Picnic pavilions and a comfort station will enhance the recreational activities provided by the hiking trails and open spaces. Since this property is in the development phase, public access is restricted at this time. Questions regarding access to the site should be e-mailed to agcenter@baltimorecountymd.gov. Phone: 410-887-3514
Fax: 410-887-3510
E-mail: agcenter@baltimorecountymd.gov  (Need PDF Help?)
Revised October 6, 2009 | 
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