Plans For 1st Agriculture Center In Howard Co. Unveiled

WEST FRIENDSHIP, MD — Officials broke ground Tuesday on Howard County's first agriculture center, named after lifelong farmer and former Howard County Councilmember Charles C. Feaga.

Feaga also was the longest-serving Howard County councilmember in county history. Feaga raised dairy cattle and beef cattle. He was also president of the Howard County Farm Bureau, the Glenelg High School PTA, and the West Howard County Civic Association.

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"Farming in Howard County has always been much more than a business," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said at the groundbreaking for the new center. "For many, it's a cherished way of life. That is why, in my nearly eight years as your Howard County Executive, I have made it a priority to help our agricultural community meet its needs, both in terms of doing business and in ensuring its continued viability as a way of life.

"The Charles C. Feaga Agricultural Center will be the centerpiece for this place to bring together key agricultural partners for training, meetings, education and innovation. This will strengthen and support the vitality of Howard County's farming community for decades to come," Ball added.

The Charles C. Feaga Agricultural Center will house:

• the Howard County Office of Agriculture;
• the University of Maryland Extension offices;
• a satellite office for the Howard County Economic Development Authority's agricultural lead;
• a satellite office for the Department of Recreation and Parks' Natural Resources Division;
• a satellite office for the Agricultural Land Preservation Program;
• the Howard County Farm Bureau, and
• Maryland Dairy Shrine.

There will also be a teaching and demonstration kitchen to support agricultural education, local food programming and opportunities to connect farmers with the community. There will be state-of-the-art meeting rooms to host meetings, workshops, training and events for the agricultural community.

Construction will begin in July 2027 with an expected building opening date in December 2029.

"The new ag center will provide the platform for more collaboration between UMDE and the Office of Agriculture," said James Zoller, administrator for the Howard County Office of Agriculture. "This collaboration will allow for better service being provided to our agricultural community."