ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the release of the West Friendship Park Agricultural Focus Group Report. Earlier this year, Ball established a focus group to evaluate potential agricultural programs and uses at the West Friendship Park. The focus group undertook the important task of envisioning innovative agricultural programs and uses for the 380-acre County-owned park in West Friendship.
This collaborative effort reflects our commitment to enhancing the agricultural landscape of West Friendship Park, fostering community engagement, and promoting agriculture for future generations. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with stakeholders as we develop a strategy to fund and implement this vision.
Comprised of 23 individuals, including agricultural leaders, engaged residents, dedicated elected officials and representatives from agricultural-related county agencies, this diverse group convened over three insightful meetings between April and May 2024. During their initial gathering, the Focus Group brainstormed a wealth of potential agricultural initiatives, setting the stage for a fruitful dialogue.
I appreciate the County Executive reaching out to the Agricultural community for input on Agriculture uses at the park. With the new Office of Agriculture being located at the park it is a perfect place for agricultural programs not only for our farmers but also to educate the community on Agriculture.
The second meeting featured an engaging tour of the park, allowing the Focus Group to connect their ideas with the landscape. In their final session, the group divided into smaller teams to review and prioritize the myriad suggestions generated in previous discussions. They thoughtfully categorized their recommendations into three key areas: Agricultural Support, Agricultural Education and Agricultural Recreation, ranking each proposal by its significance.
“Our agricultural community is multifaceted. This focus group leveraged the perspectives of a variety of sectors to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations,” said James Zoller, Administrator, Office of Agriculture. “I am impressed with the creative and innovative proposals put forth by our community.”
Recommendations to enhance support for agriculture include: building an agricultural center to create space for agencies and the agricultural community to gather and host programs; providing freezers and cold storage for farmers to store meat and produce; and leasing land to new and beginning farmers to set down roots.
“West Friendship Park presents an opportunity to improve awareness of agriculture and to assist Howard County's farmers,” said Barb Glenn, Vice President of the Howard County Farm Bureau. “This Focus Group brought many interests together and the plan is a first step in the Park's future for all Howard Countians, rural and urban. Thank you to Dr. Ball for giving everyone a voice in the future of West Friendship Park.”
The Focus Group’s report suggests agricultural education be supported at the park with dedicated space for 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth programs to raise pigs, goats and sheep. The group also recommends utilizing the park to administer agricultural workshops and awareness programs, and emphasizes creating a farm-focused tourism destination for the public.
“Howard County is very fortunate to have a County Executive who values the importance agriculture,” said Joe Dymek, Member of the Howard County Agricultural Preservation Board. “We cannot do enough to educate individuals on how agriculture is an integral part of their daily lives. West Friendship Park will afford the citizens of Howard County firsthand experiences in learning more about agriculture in Howard County.”
Horseback riding trails and room for camping are also encouraged under the banner of agricultural recreation. The Focus Group further recommends programming to celebrate the history of Howard County agriculture.
For questions or comments, please contact Agricultural Administrator James Zoller at jzoller@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-3861.
Here’s what others are saying:
“As a member of the Focus Group for West Friendship Park, I appreciated the opportunity to provide input on the vision of how this park will serve the agricultural community, as well as county residents, moving forward. With representation from so many diverse areas within the farm community, it was great to hear different thoughts and ideas for use of the property. The county listened and has put together a great plan of action that will provide programming and support for both local farmers, as well as the community at large,” said Leslie Bauer, President, Howard County Farm Bureau.
“Many of our conversations for the Focus Group revolved around outreach and educational activities that we hope will be rooted at the Agricultural Park. I am especially excited to see opportunities for Howard County's kids to engage with farming and nature in new ways. I love that it will be a place where kids (and adults!) can get their hands dirty interacting with the land,” said Mary Wilde, Owner, Three Dozen Daisies Farm.