State officials Wednesday authorized contributing $3.2 million to Baltimore County?s purchase of landfor an agricultural center and “farm park,” officials said.
The 149-acre facility on Shawan Road across from Oregon Ridge Park will consolidate agricultural-related offices and serve as a meeting center for organizations including local 4-H clubs, the Maryland Wineries Association, Master Gardeners, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and the Central Maryland Beekeeper Association.
The state Board of Public Works approved the contribution at its meeting Wednesday. The county last August announced its purchase, identifying funding sources as $1 million from the federal land conservation fund, $900,000 in state open space funds and $1.26 million in local open space funds.
“As one of the top counties in the country in terms of agricultural and rural land preservation, it makes sense for us to embrace our agrarian roots and promote the continued viability of our farming industry,” County Executive Jim Smith said in a statement. “I appreciate the board?s recognition of the importance of this resource center and park for Baltimore County and the region.”
The county intends to keep about 100 acres of the farm in active agricultural use and build horse trails and open the center to school groups. The center will likely open in 2009, Smith said.
“I am 1000 percent behind this,” said Councilman Bryan McIntire, a Republican who represents much of the county’s rural, northern area. “I think it¹s a wonderful use of this land.”
