AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
Not quite ready to open for the season, the atmosphere at Langton Green Community Farm in Millersville on Tuesday was relaxed. A small number of staff and volunteers was on hand to care for the farm and the animals and assist Langton Green director John Iaquinta with preparations for the year’s first public event this Saturday, April 1.
Welcoming as always, Iaquinta introduced Langton Green’s new farm manager Elizabeth Synder and Diana Davis who is director of Day Services. Looking across the fields, now coming alive with new growth, Iaquinta noted how happy they all are to welcome the public back after being completely closed down due to the COVID pandemic.
“We’ve missed being open and sharing what we have here with the community for almost three years. Nevertheless, we managed to accomplish quite a lot during that down time,” he said.
“During the first year, through donations, we were able to completely renovate our main house inside and out. The contractor had many good ideas. He enclosed the former garage giving us much more space.”
Inside, there is now a great snack bar which is loved by the staff and by the physically and intellectually disabled individuals served through the farm’s employment and day programs.
According to Iaquinta, the snack bar construction was made possible through donations of materials and equipment. The sink was donated by a Catholic church, the stove came from a firehouse, and the refrigerator, wood for the counter and countertop materials were also donations.
Opening up the interior provided much needed room for storage as well as extra window space for plant propagation aided by grow lights. There are also multi-purpose areas for arts and crafts, meetings and other activities.
“Last year, were awarded a $100,000 grant through the Kubota Inc. Hometown Proud Program which allowed us to renovate the even older house used for our administrative offices,” Iaquinta added.
“We still have some Kubota farm equipment headed our way. We’ll use part of the money that’s left over to add more raised beds and for fencing for a new community garden space we’re creating.”
Thanks to grants from the state and county arts councils, artist Cindy Fletcher Holden was able to create additional murals during the down time which add to the sensory experiences created for the developmentally disabled individuals the farm serves as well as the general public.
Prior to heading across the fields, we stopped to say hello to the oh-so-friendly potbellied pigs who headed toward the fence when they spotted a farm crew member responsible for feeding them.
Crossing a field to the fence line, we came across community volunteer Colette Preis trimming back the blackberry vines planted several years ago. The vines are now very productive. For a brief period, blackberries will be sold to the public along with other farm produce on Saturdays.
Doubling back across the fields past the hoop house where tomatoes and squash will be grown, we reentered the greenhouse seen in the opening photo and discovered that Elizabeth Snyder is growing cuttings from those blackberry vines in pots alongside flats of tomato transplants grown from seed.
Looking across the fields past the hoop house where tomatoes and squash are grown. Recent winds blew off the top and sides of the facility. 
One corner of the greenhouse holds heirloom tomato transplants plus pots of blackberry vine cuttings.
Toward the far end of the farm, rows of blueberry bushes and fruit trees that were planted several years ago have matured along with perennial pollinator plants including coneflowers and sunflowers. Beyond those are rows of strawberry plants and, finally, a field sown with a cover crop. At one end of the orchard area is a newly built stage. A spring talent show will be held on the stage on May 13th.
Back near the hub of things, we found chickens, multiple goats and other critters.
The farm bunny, Chocolate Chip, was having a fine time observing all the goings on. Chocolate Chip is happiest when being fussed over by visitors.
The beloved farm cat Atticus was spotted winding his way to a water feature where he likes to check out the frogs. Atticus is such a familiar sight at Langton Green Farm that he was the subject of one of Cindy Fletcher Holden’s murals.
Farm cat Atticus heading for a nearby water feature. 
Atticus is so popular he’s the subject of a mural by artist Cindy Fletcher Holden.
It’s no wonder Atticus enjoys visiting the little pond and surrounding gardens that are tended by Langton Green volunteers. It’s so inviting there with a picnic table for meetings or other gatherings.
According to Snyder, garlic planted last fall is growing like crazy while lettuce, spinach and kale have already gone into the beds. Storage onions are being planted soon with summer produce to follow. She wants the community to know that the farm harvested 7,200 pounds of produce last season and hopes to double that this season. Farm produce will be sold every Saturday.
In addition to the aforementioned lettuce, spinach and kale, spring produce will include spring onions, bok choi, carrots, radishes, and turnips. Summer produce will include storage onions, garlic, a variety of tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, berries, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, watermelon, and herbs. Fall produce will include pumpkins, acorn squash, butternut squash, fennel, curly kale, lettuce mix, bok choi, carrots, radishes, turnips and more.
As always, produce goes for free to Langton Green’s residential community consumers. Excess produce is donated to community food pantries serving low-income Maryland residents like the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.
Since its founding in 1984, Langton Green, a non-profit Anne Arundel County-based residential community has supported adults with intellectual disabilities. The farm was later established as a place where people with varying needs and abilities can work and make a positive impact on the surrounding community.
John Iaquinta says one of his staff’s goals is to make more locals aware of Langton Green where they can get away from crowded neighborhoods and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the gardens and open spaces without driving miles away.
He also noted several upcoming events including Farm Animal Yoga on Saturday, April 1 and a Touchstones Project on April 15. Particularly exciting is this year’s Earth Day Celebration planned for April 22 from 10 am till 2 pm. The Earth Day event includes Langton Green’s very first Spring Plant Sale and community seed swap.
“Pack a lunch that day and enjoy a picnic on the farm,” said Iaquinta. “And don’t forget our Spring Talent Show on May 13.
For more information, visit Home – Langton Green for follow farm activities at Langton Green Community Farm | Facebook.
Flea Market and Craft Show at Baldwin Hall on April 22
The Severn Cross Roads Foundation is hoping for a big turnout on April 22 from 10 am till 2 pm for their Flea Market and Craft Show benefiting historic Baldwin Hall. Flea Market and Crafter spaces inside the hall are still available for $25 while outdoor spaces are $15. To reserve a space, contact Janice Crowe at janice.a.crowe@gmail.com. We’ll have more on the event shortly.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. (Jing Ying currently offers a Homeschool Kung Fu Class and again brings Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
