Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park
1114 Shawan Road (21030)
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| Volunteers have helped to bring the idea of an Agricultural Center into reality. |
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| A final master plan is now complete for this site. |
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| The development of the site maintains the look and feel of a farm. |
Baltimore County developed an agricultural resource center on this 149-acre property on the corner of Shawan and Cuba Roads.
The Center consolidates many of the support services for the agricultural community, promotes the future sustainability of the agricultural industry, serves as an educational resource center and field destination for school children and adults, and will provide open space benefits of walking and equestrian trail riding. The Center is 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 recognizing 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.
Partners
The Center is home to the support services for the agricultural community by housing the offices of:
- Baltimore Soil Conservation District http://www.mascd.net/BCSCD/
- University of Maryland Extension - Baltimore County Office http://baltimorecounty.umd.edu/
- United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
- United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency (FSA) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/
Organizations that utilize the Center for meetings and activities include:
- Baltimore County Farm Bureau http://www.mdfarmbureau.com/Baltimore.asp
- The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation http://www.maefonline.com/
- Maryland Department of Agriculture http://www.mda.state.md.us/
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources http://www.dnr.state.md.us/
- Maryland Horse Breeders Association http://marylandthoroughbred.com/breeders/
- Maryland Wineries Association http://www.marylandwine.com/
- North County Preservation, Inc. http://www.northcountypreservation.org/
- Baltimore County Land Trust Alliance http://www.conservemd.org/
- Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation http://www.marbidco.orghttp://www.marbidco.org
- Central Maryland Beekeepers Association http://www.cmbeea.org/main/home.html
- other agricultural organizations
Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, Inc. (MARC)
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 Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, 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 development of the site, the group is now focused on the development and implementation of programs as well as promotion of agricultural resources.
Facilities and Activities
The Center architecturally reflects Baltimore County's traditional farmstead, but with up-to-date facilities to support a variety of activities. Now that the core facilities are in place to support the agricultural services, supplemental facilities are planned. Baltimore County has completed a Site Plan (PDF) for the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park. A copy of the full Master Plan report (18MB) for the development of the site is also available for download.
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 provides 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 includes 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.
Contact Information
Mr. Chris McCollum, Executive Director
1114 Shawan Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
Phone: 410-887-8570
E-mail: baltcoagcenter@baltimorecountymd.gov
Revised May 18, 2011
