Anne Arundel County residents want the former U.S. Naval Academy Farm in Gambrills to remain an organic farm as the county seeks control of the land.
About 150 residents gathered at Arundel High School Tuesday to hear plans for the 857-acre farm, which the county is negotiating with the Navy for a long-term lease.
Most of the comments were either positive or inquisitive, with many expressing desire to keep the organic nature of the farm in tact. That property is the single largest organic farm in
Maryland, and accounts for 13 percent of the state?s organic product.
Only 150 acres, or 18 percent, of the farm will be for public use, while the rest will remain farmland.
Frank Marzucco, director of the county?s Recreation and Parks department, said he was encouraged by the feedback.
The county expects to sign the lease in December, and form an oversight committee to fine tune the details of the farm?s design.
