Extension granted to grower on rented land

By MICHEL ELBEN
Staff Writer

POTOMAC, Md. — Nick Maravell, an organic farmer fighting to keep his rented land from being re-leased into pay-for-play soccer fields, received an extension until Aug. 15.
Maravell said the extension allows him time to harvest his small grain seed but not enough time for a more complete growing season.
“It’s not enough time for me to do my corn or soybeans but it will give me time to get started on my fresh vegetable seeds,” he said.
Nonetheless, Maravell took the extension as a sign to keep fighting to continue renting the land.
“The extension is a positive development,” said Maravell, who owns and operates Nick’s Organic Farm.
“The next eight months will give us additional opportunities to show off how well this plot of land could offer agricultural education for Montgomery County kids,” he added. “We still hope to turn this into a place where children can learn about local food, farming and the environment through hands-on experiences.”
The lease could be extended again until the end of 2012, according to the agreement.
Maravell said it was “unlikely the extension would have been granted if we did not have a shot so I’m going to go forward with my ag activities.”
The news was welcome to thousands of the farm’s supporters, who have been rallying to keep the farm as an educational tool.
However, the fight for the farm is not over, as Montgomery County currently still plans to build soccer fields on the site.
“The final decision will not be made before early February,” said Maravell. “We still have a lot of strong support.”
Maravell said he plans to continue with the appeals process in the coming year.
“This is about a broader issue,” said Maravell. “It highlights the role of food and farming in an urban setting – municipalities and agriculture are colliding little by little.”
Maravell said he encourages other organizations to endorse Nick’s Organic Farm’s ag education center to demonstrate how the ag community is making an effort  to publicize its achievements. The overall initiative is called “No Child Left Inside.” Maravell hopes to encourage “out of classroom experiences” on his farm.
Maravell said there is now a certain level of consciousness being raised in Montgomery County.
“The young people want to know where their food is coming from and they want to know what it takes before it gets to the grocery line,” he said. “They’re becoming interested in their local ag community but they don’t have the background in it. They want to see it, to touch it, to feel it. This is what we’re trying to save and we now have an opportunity to do that.”
For three decades, Maravell had repeatedly won the lease every three to five years during the competitive bidding process, and had maintained the land for the school system while growing certified organic crops, food and seed there. He is now producing certified organic GMO-free heirloom food-grade corn and soy seed, some of which he in turn sells to other organic producers in the region.  
Regardless of the settlement this week, the appeal to the State Board of Education is still proceeding. The merits of this appeal will be considered at the earliest at the next State Board of Education meeting, scheduled for Jan. 24-25.