ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined on Thursday by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, elected and County officials, and members of Howard County’s agriculture community at West Friendship Park, for the grand opening of Howard County Government’s new Office of Agriculture (OoA). Located in the park’s recently renovated historic Hebb House, the OoA is the County’s first-ever office focused on agriculture, and only the third of its kind in the state.
“Since I became Howard County Executive, we have worked hard to prioritize the needs of our agricultural community, both as businesses and as a valued way of life. Together, we have made strides to innovate and invest in local farming to ensure a thriving future for our county’s farms,” said Ball. “With the opening of our Office of Agriculture here at West Friendship Park, we are bringing much-needed support and resources closer to our county’s farming community so they can continue to thrive, grow, and prosper for generations to come.”
“Farming has a long history and heritage in Howard County, and with the establishment of this office– and the visionary coordination and collaboration it represents – the industry has a strong future,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks.
Headed by Office of Agriculture Administrator James Zoller, the OoA houses various agricultural programs and staff to enhance coordination and impact, as well as provide co-working opportunities for the agriculture-facing functions of the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ), Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), University of Maryland Extension, and Howard Soil Conservation District. The office will also work with the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks to provide agriculturally focused recreational programming and learning opportunities for residents at the park.
“We’re proud to officially open our doors to the public,” said Zoller. “The creation of this new Office of Agriculture right in the heart of our Rural West makes clear the Ball Administration’s commitment to serving farmers where they are.”
In addition to opening the new OoA today, Ball also unveiled that his proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Capital budget includes a $1 million investment for the planning and design of a full-scale agricultural center at West Friendship Park. This facility will provide much-needed space for meetings, trainings, and events, demonstration areas for enhanced collaboration between Howard County, farmers and other stakeholders, and additional office space.
Last March, Ball announced the establishment of a West Friendship Park Agricultural Programming Focus Group to identify programs and uses for the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks’ West Friendship Park that will offer learning experiences for residents and visitors, while supporting the county’s agriculture community. This nearly 300-acre park features woodlands and open fields, of which 100-acres are in permanent forest and conservation easements.
In October, Ball shared that the Focus Group’s report recommended the creation of an agricultural center at the park and that the park offer space for new and beginning farm operations, cold storage for farmers, and for 4H programs and Future Farmers of America youth programs to raise hogs, sheep, and goats. The report also suggested the park feature other farm-adjacent recreational uses, including horseback riding trails, archery, camping, festivals and events, and a space to celebrate Howard County’s farming history.
“This investment reflects upon my administration’s commitment to enhance the agricultural landscape of West Friendship Park, foster community engagement, and promote agriculture for future generations,” added Ball. “I look forward to seeing the development of this impactful facility and the growth of this park as we implement the Focus Group’s vision.”
Here is what others had to say about the County’s new OoA:
“Since 1945, the Howard Soil Conservation District has helped farmers get conservation practices on the ground, and we are so encouraged to see the Ball Administration recognize the critical role our farmers serve in the County, in our community, and in the everyday lives of Howard County residents,” said Justin Brendel, Board of Supervisors Chair, Howard Soil Conservation District. “Howard SCD looks forward to partnering with the Office of Ag on a number of initiatives to promote the agricultural industry and the great accomplishments of our family farms!”
“I want to congratulate James Zoller and the office of Agriculture on the opening of their new facility. I am looking forward to visiting this spring and summer and walking the beautiful grounds. These new offices will be a fantastic home for James and his staff as well as the DPZ staff,” said Lynda Eisenberg, DPZ Director. “I wish the Office of Agriculture all the best and believe that this addition will further enhance the already successful Agricultural Preservation program’s outreach efforts. It will provide an additional touchpoint for the farming community to get to know our dedicated Agricultural and Planning staff.”
“I am really excited that Howard County has taken such a proactive approach to rebuilding the agricultural support system and to be able to have many of them in close proximity to each other where they can collaborate and be more easily accessible will just boost the support that the farmers need in today’s economy,” said Kathy Hudson, Chair of Agricultural Preservation Board.
“Centralizing the various agencies that support the industry in this location improves accessibility and collaboration for our farmers and is a significant milestone in the evolution of our agriculture center,” said Howard County Councilmember David Yungmann.
In addition to today’s OoA opening and FY26 Capital budget funding investment in a new agricultural center at West Friendship Park, here is information about other ongoing County programs and investments supporting Howard County’s Agricultural Community:
Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP)
Since reopening the County’s ALPP in 2019, after a closing by the previous administration in 2018, Ball’s administration has invested more than $15 million in easement acquisitions to preserve 448 acres of prime agricultural land from development. This vital land provides fruits and vegetables, dairy, and protein that fill our plates, the grains and hay that feed our livestock, and the space for horses and other animals to roam.
In his Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget, Ball requested $15 million to infuse new funding into the County’s ALPP to acquire news easements to preserve farmland forever. Utilizing a portion of this funding, the County has secured two new easements totaling a combined 142 acres of preserved farmland in the last 12 months alone.
Drought Relief Grants
This past November, Ball announced the launch of a the Drought Relief Grant program to assist Howard County farms negatively impacted by last summer’s extreme heat and drought. These excessively dry conditions resulted in crop loss and increased operating expenses for feed and grain.
Ball today shared that 70 Howard County farms will receive a $5,000 one-time grant for losses sustained because of these drought conditions, and 35 local farms will receive a secondary grant worth up to $25,000 to cover additional losses demonstrated.
Enhanced Agricultural Grant (EAG)
In Fiscal Year 2023, Ball announced the launch of the County’s new EAG pilot program, aimed at empowering, preserving, and supporting agriculture-supporting organizations in Howard County. With an initial $250,000 investment in the program, the County awarded seven farmers, non-profits, and organizations who support Howard County’s agriculture, to aid in the purchase of equipment, educational programming, and operational enhancements for greater productivity. On the recommendation of the Agricultural Preservation Board, Ball’s FY25 budget doubled his administration’s investment in EAG, making up to $500,000 in grant funding available.
In this latest round of grand applicants, which totaled 50, the EAG Review Committee awarded a total of $500,000 to 14 farms and local organizations, all aimed at enhancing agriculture in Howard County. These grants range from $5,000 to $110,000 and will benefit Howard County produce growers, commodity farms, livestock operations, and horse farms.
Agricultural Grant for Innovation and Expansion (AGIE)
Administered by the HCEDA, the AGIE is geared towards assisting Howard County agricultural producers with expanding or diversifying their business operations. Eligible applicants must be a crop or livestock producer or processor, agricultural cooperative, or primary or secondary timber products processor. Since launching the program in 2012, HCEDA has provided nearly $500,000 in direct support to local farmers through 73 individual grants, including six totaling $100,000 in 2024.
In his FY25 budget, Ball provided $100,000 in funding for the continuation of these grants that range from $10,000 to $20,000. The next round of AGIE applications will be available this June.
Howard Soil Conservation District’s Agricultural Preservation Cost-Share Program
Since 2023, Howard Soil Conservation District’s Agricultural Preservation Cost-Share implementation grants program has provided $430,000 in grants to 17 local farms for a variety of best management practices that protect our natural resources and help farmers to improve their operations and their bottom line. In his FY25 budget, Ball provided $200,000 in funding to the program, as well as created a new revolving loan program to help farmers bridge the financing gap on these projects with of $250,000 in additional new funding.
As demand for these resources continues to grow each year, details about this new revolving loan program will be announced this May.
Roving Radish Program
The County’s Roving Radish program promotes healthy eating habits by offering fresh and locally grown produce, meats, and other goods from Howard County farms at affordable prices through its meal kits, Marketplace, and Mobile Marketplace.
Since 2019, Ball’s administration has invested more than $603,000 in the program. This investment has allowed:
· The Roving Radish’s meal kit program to create 43,509 kits from ingredients purchased from local farms; nearly 39 percent of which were subsidized for Howard County individuals and families in need.
· The opening of the Roving Radish Marketplace in Long Reach Village Center in 2021. This viable outlet provides a place where 25 currently participating local farmers sell their farm’s produce, meats, and other goods at affordable prices. To date, more than 18,995 pounds of food have been distributed to those in need for free.
· This past June, Ball unveiled the Roving Radish program’s latest expansion, its Mobile Marketplace. This farm-to-family market on wheels brings farm-fresh food directly to Howard County neighborhoods with the greatest need, now making 12 stops per week at schools, libraries, apartments, and community centers across the county, including sites in Columbia, Cooksville, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Laurel, and Savage.
Publisher’s Note: Maryland Newspapers LLC looks forward to providing regular coverage of news and events in Howard County, Maryland. Please support that effort by visiting HowardCourier.com daily, uploading our mobile app, and subscribing, if finances permit.
and then