Stephanie Stone fulfilled a longtime wish when she moved to a 15-acre horse farm on Broad Creek in northern Harford County 23 years ago. Neighboring farms surrounded her home until about a decade ago, when the vista began to change.
Harford's population has nearly doubled since Stone, a research psychologist and teacher at the Johns Hopkins University, arrived. On her commute to work, she saw how development was encroaching on areas with a long-standing agricultural tradition.
"I started seeing all this housing where farms were," she said. "I had to come off my farm and fight to keep the rural nature of this county."
She joined Friends of Harford, a nonprofit group that advocates responsible land use, and is now a board member. Like others in the organization, she has gotten involved in thorny zoning issues, rallied against contentious development proposals and sat through seemingly endless hours of hearings.
"To be effective, you have to affect policy," she said. "You have to get out there and make your voice heard."
The group will take a slightly different tactic next Sunday when it holds Friends on the Farm Day, which will rely on attractions such as reindeer, a petting zoo and a hayride through acres of green pasture to offer a convincing argument for preserving farmland.
"Historically, we have been issue-oriented and trying to affect policy," said Stone. "This is really our first fun outreach."
The group chose Applewood Farm in Whiteford as the site of Friends on the Farm Day because of the diversity of its operation, which includes acres of Christmas trees, livestock, a miniature train and a variety of crops on 100 acres that straddle the Maryland-Pennsylvania line.
"This farm demonstrates how farms can stay viable," Stone said. "Instead of the traditional model, it has capitalized on our rural aspects."
Owners Brian and Pat Adelhardt are waiving the usual $3 admission to the farm for the four-hour event. They have also pledged a portion of the profits from hayrides and train and pony rides to the organization.
Friends of Harford hopes to educate and entertain visitors as well as raise awareness and money.
"This farm offers significant education on land use," said Bonnie Hummer, the organization's event coordinator.
Two years ago, the group published a report on proposed rezoning issues that estimated that the county could lose nearly 3,000 acres of farmland to development.
The report detailed hundreds of properties, many of them outside the county's designated development envelope, that were under consideration for rezoning and eventual commercial or residential construction. County Executive David R. Craig vetoed the proposal a year ago and ordered a new rezoning effort that has recently begun.
"You can't let your guard down," said Judy Blomquist, past president of Friends of Harford. "If you don't speak up, you will get what you didn't speak against."
Next Sunday's event is intended to be less about rezoning and disappearing farms and more about education and family entertainment.
Children can pedal a miniature tractor on a grassy course or visit a petting zoo. The farm's signature reindeer also will be on hand.
Country music, storytelling and the petting zoo will be available at no cost. A $3 ticket buys a seat on the Applewood Express, a miniature train that runs on almost a mile of track throughout the property.
The state Agriculture Department's mobile classroom trailer will be on site for demonstrations, and local farmers will sell fresh produce. A shady grove will provide a spot for picnics, said the Adelhardts, who have run Applewood for 32 years.
The farm, with its log barn and house, dates to 1770.
Members hope this will be the first of many such annual events. Maybe next year it will be Friends Day on the Bay or the River, Stone said.
"We are a countywide organization whose core mission is to keep what is special about our community," she said.
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com
Friends on the Farm Day will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. July 22 at Applewood Farm, 4435 Prospect Road, Whiteford. Information: 410-836-1140.