News articles

• March 21, 2012: "Emergency Legislation Could Impact Brickyard," by Ken Moore, in the Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 21, 2012: "Learning Farming Organically," cover story of the Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 20, 2012: "Some Montgomery County executive powers could be stripped," by Ben Eisler, on wjla.com, available here.
• March 15, 2012: "Council Prepares Legislation to Reduce Executive’s Power," by Ken Moore, in the Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 14, 2012: "Brickyard Educational Farm Hosts Area Students," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 8, 2012: "2nd generation farmer seeks to continue educational agriculture on Nick’s Organic Farm," by Ken Moore, in the Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 8, 2012: "MontCo lawmakers want to take away Leggett's power on land sales," by Rachel Baye, in Washington Examiner, available here.
• March 7, 2012: "Status Of Brickyard Proposals Is Undecided," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 7, 2012: "Soccer fields, educational farm proposed for Brickyard Road," by Peggy McEwan, on Gazette.net, available here.
• March 1, 2012: "Brickyard Farm Supporters Submit Official Proposal For Educational Farm," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• February 2, 2012: "Brickyard battle continues," by Christa Puccio, in The Montgomery County Sentinel, available here.
• January 13, 2012: "Montgomery County Issues Brickyard RFP," on patch.com, available here.
• January 12, 2012: "Brickyard Settlement Details Released," on patch.com, available here.
• January 12, 2012: "WMCCA Meeting with Berliner Heats Up," on patch.com, available here.
• January 11, 2012: "Brickyard Settlement Terms Remain Unclear," on patch.com, available here.
• January 08, 2012: "New News in the New Year?," (see 'Brickyard Road Farm') in the Potomac Almanac, available here.
• December 15, 2011: "Brickyard Case Settles Out of Court," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• December 15, 2011: "Potomac organic farm will sow another season," by Peggy McEwan, on Gazette.net, available here.
• December 15, 2011: "Busy 11th Hour?," by Ken Moore, in the Potomac Almanac, available here.
• December 14, 2011: "Supporters boost feasibility for ag center," by Michel Elben, in the Delmarva Farmer, available here.
• December 14, 2011: "Organic farmer in Montgomery goes to court to prevent land from becoming soccer fields," by Michael Alison Chandler, on washingtonpost.com, available here.
• December 14, 2011: "Montgomery farmer settles with county on organic farm," by Michael Alison Chandler and Victor Zapana, on washingtonpost.com, available here.
• November 23, 2011: "Common Sense Demands Saving the Farm," by Brian J. Karem, in The Montgomery County Sentinel, available here.
• November 22, 2011: "Farm Supporters Deliver Petitions to Leggett," by Robbie Hammer, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• November 17, 2011: "Nick's Organic Farm Supporters Rally Despite Rain," by Brendan Ponton, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• November 17, 2011: "One Big Fight to Save One Small Organic Farm," in AZ Green Magazine, available here.
• November 16, 2011: "Threatened organic farm gathering support," by Michel Elben, in American Farm, available here.
• November 16, 2011: "Potomac farm supporters submit petition with 50,000 signatures to county executive," by Peggy McEwan, in The Gazette, available here.
• October 21, 2011: "Business As Usual at Nick's Farm: As court battles play out, Nick Maravell continues his regular activities at the disputed land on Brickyard Road," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• October 20, 2011: "Coalition Works on Strategies To Block Brickyard Soccer - County reviewing comments, likely to release request for proposal for soccer fields in 4-to-6 weeks." by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• October 12, 2011: "WMCCA Meeting To Focus On Brickyard: Tonight's Western Montgomery County Citizens Association meeting will take place at the Potomac Community Center at 7:15," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• September 22, 2011: "Town Hall Meeting With Ike Leggett," by Katie Griffith in Potomac Patch, available here.
• September 19, 2011: "Future of Nick’s Organic Farm Hangs in the Balance," by Rick Docksai in Potomac Patch, available here.
• September 16, 2011: "Update: Nick's Farm License Extension Recused: County will not make a decision on Nick Maravell's request for a licensing extension due to litigation issues," by Katie Griffith, in Potomac Patch, here.
• September 7, 2011: "State board says residents can appeal plan to turn Potomac organic farm into soccer fields: School officials had sought dismissal for development in Potomac," by Andrew Ujifusa, in The Gazette, here.
• August 30, 2011: "Groups alert Montgomery County to legal action over proposed soccer fields on Brickyard Road: Statements say civic associations, residents expect lawsuits over 20 acres in Potomac," by Andrew Ujifusa, in The Gazette, here.
• August 22, 2011: "Thunderstorm Fails to Curb Spirit of Nick’s Organic Farm Fundraiser," by Susan Belford in Potomac Patch, available here.
• August 13, 2011: "MontCo school board violates open meetings laws again," by Lisa Gartner in Washington Examiner, available here.
• August 12, 2011: "Nicks' Organic Farm: Open Meeting Violations," by Kristen Milton, in The Monocacy Monocle, p.5, available here.
• July 27, 2011: "Nick's Organic Farm Wages Campaign to Save Farm on Facebook," in Potomac Patch, available here.
• July, 2011: "Saving Nick’s Organic Farm," in Organic Connections Magazine, available here.
• July 15, 2011: "State cites Montgomery school board again for open meetings violation," in The Gazette, available here.
• July 13, 2011: "School board fails on open-meeting compliance," in The Gazette, available here.
• July 07, 2011: "Help save Nick's Organic Farm from government takeover!" on NaturalNews.com, available here.
• July 01, 2011: "Ruling: School board violated open meetings act," in The Gazette, available here.
• June 19, 2011: "MontCo expenses not audited for three years," in Washington Examiner, available here.
• June 16, 2011: "Hundreds Turn Out for Farm-or-Soccer Meeting," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• May 30, 2011: "Leggett met with soccer group while pushing farm switchover," by Lisa Gartner, in Washington Examiner, available here.
• May 26, 2011: "Brickyard Soccer Meeting June 9," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• May 26, 2011: "Brickyard Road Middle School Site Timeline," in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• May 4, 2011: "Brickyard Meeting Set: June 9, Questions remain on whether lease will allow anything but ballfields," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• April 28, 2011: "Brickyard Leased Signed: Next meeting with residents yet to be scheduled," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• April 21, 2011: "One Project Moves Forward, Other in Limbo: Potomac Community Center proposal in selection committee; Brickyard lease still pending," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• April 15, 2011: "Divided over Best Use of Land: More than 200 people turn out for meeting on Brickyard proposal," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• April 13, 2011: "Sports Fields in Montgomery County Can't Keep Up with Growing Soccer Demand: Debate over usage intensifies after proposal to displace farm to build youth fields," by Cody Calamaio, in The Gazette, available here.
• April 7, 2011: "Frustration Builds on Brickyard: More than 200 people turn out for meeting on Brickyard Proposal," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• April 6, 2011: "Hundreds Turn Out to Weigh In On Soccer Field Proposal in Potomac: Montgomery County wants youth fields on organic farm on Brickyard Road in Potomac," by Cody Calamaio, in The Gazette, available here.
• April 5, 2011: "Residents Voice Concerns at Brickyard Lots Public Meeting: Many frustrated citizens got to sound off about the future of a 20-acre lot on Brickyard Road in Potomac," by Sarah Beth Hensley, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 31, 2011: "Are Soccer Fields on Brickyard a Done Deal? Decision appears already made as first opportunity for neighbor input is set for April 4," by Mary Kimm in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 20, 2011: "Montgomery County School Board reclaims farmland--to build soccer fields," by Robert Samuels, in The Washington Post, available here.
• March 17, 2011: "Engaging the Public: Next step for Brickyard soccer fields: Resolving community concerns about hours, parking and other details," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 16, 2011: "Residents question public process after Potomac farm lease transfer," by Cody Calamaio, in The Gazette, available here.
• March 10, 2011: "County government organically fails to be transparent" (Federation Corner column), by Peggy Dennis, in The Montgomery Sentinel, available here or here by clicking on the "Federation Corner columns" link in the left hand margin.
• March 9, 2011: "20 Acres on Brickyard for Soccer Complex: School board paves way for as many as four soccer fields and parking for 200 cars on Brickyard site, displacing organic farm as of Jan. 1, 2012," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 9, 2011: "School board votes to lease 20 acres in Potomac to Montgomery County: Organic farmer has leased property for 31 years; county intends to add soccer fields to site," by Cody Calamaio and Andrew Ujifusa, in The Gazette, available here.
• March 9, 2011: "Potomac Organic Farmer Responds to Board of Education Vote," by Sarah Beth Hensley, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 8, 2011: "Board of Education Gives Brickyard Road Property to County for Potential Soccer Fields," by Sarah Beth Hensley, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 8, 2011: "Public Comments on Future of Brickyard Road Property," by Sarah Beth Hensley, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 7, 2011: "Organic Farmland on Brickyard Road Could Become Soccer Fields," by Sarah Beth Hensley, in Potomac Patch, available here.
• March 4, 2011: "20 Acres on Brickyard for Soccer Complex? Long-time organic farmer displaced from empty school site; officials and residents angered by lack of transparency," by Mary Kimm, in Potomac Almanac, available here.
• March 4, 2011: "Potomac farm may become soccer fields under Montgomery County proposal: Farmer has leased 20 acres for $1,300 annually for 31 years; county wants to lease land for $1,500 annually and build soccer fields," by Cody Calamaio, in The Gazette, available here.

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Statements from Civic/Non-Profit Organizations

• July 22, 2011: “Notice of CARF joining other local civic organizations to pursue legal action to halt process of building soccer fields on Board of Education 20 acres along Brickyard Road,” from Ted Duncan, President, Civic Association River Falls (CARF) and Keith Williams, Vice President, CARF, available here.
• July 13, 2011: “Organic Farm to Be Replaced with Private Soccer Field,” by Beth Buczynski, in care2.com, available here.
• June 9, 2011: "Q&A: Why Nick's Organic Farm Shouldn't Get Turned into Soccer Fields," by Sarah Parsons on www.change.org, available here.
• May 24, 2011: "The Tale of the Brickyard Road Site and Nick's Organic Farm," by Ginny Barnes, Vice Chair, Conservation Montgomery Board of Directors, available here.
• April 13, 2011: "County Executive Responds to Pleas To Save Nick's Organic Farm," by Sarah Parsons, on www.change.org, available here.
• April 4, 2011: "Thirty- Year-Old Organic Farm To Be Turned Into Soccer Fields," by Sarah Parsons, on www.change.org, available here.
• "A Brief History of Nick's Organic Farm," available here.

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Statements from Nick's Organic Farm

• "Nick’s Organic Farm Gets Extension To Farm Until Aug. 15," press release from Nick's Organic Farm, December 16, 2011. Click here.
• "Farm Supporters Push for Ag Education Hub at County School Board Meeting," December 06, 2011 press release from Nick's Organic Farm. Click here.
• "County Says Can’t Extend License to Farm for 1 More Year: Nick’s Organic Farm License to Expire in 3 Months, As Soccer Fields Loom," September 16, 2011 press release. Click here.
• "State Board of Ed Says Appeals about Move on Brickyard Site Can Go Forward," September 9, 2011 press release. Click here.
• "Nick’s Organic Farm, Civic Groups, 400 Individuals Pave Way for Lawsuits On Brickyard Rd School Site," August 31, 2011 press release. Click here.
• "State Body Rules Against Montgomery School Board AGAIN," press release from Nick's Organic Farm, July 18, 2011. Click here.
• "Future of Brickyard Farm Site Is Topic of June 9 Public Meeting at Potomac Community Center," press release from Nick's Organic Farm, June 6, 2011. Click here.
• "Lack of Transparency Continues with Brickyard Lease: Inaccuracies by Officials Rampant; Community Ire Ignored," press release from Nick's Organic Farm, April 25, 2011. Click here.
• For the addendum to the April 25, 2011 press release, click here.
• For a statement from NOF to supporters on April 6, 2011, click here.
• For a press release from Nick's Organic Farm, April 4, 2011 (late version), entitled, "Chesapeake Bay Foundation Calls For Saving Organic Farm in Potomac," click here.
• For a press release from Nick's Organic Farm, April 4, 2011 (early version), entitled, "Fate Of Nick's Organic Farm Site In Potomac To Be Subject Of Montgomery County Meeting Tonight: Nationally Recognized Experts To Attend," click here.
• For Nick's statement of thanks to customers and supporters, March 9, 2011, click here.
• "Montgomery County School Board Makes Surprise Move To Turn Organic Farm on Brickyard Road Into Ball Fields," press release from Nick's Organic Farm, March 7, 2011. Click here to see the full document.

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USDA press release naming Nick Maravell to NOSB

• "Secretary Vilsack Names Members to the National Organic Standards Board," press release from the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sept. 29, 2010, AMS No. 190-10. Available by clicking here.

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Blog posts

• March 9, 2011: "BOE 5-2 in favor of turning organic farm into soccer fields," by Montgomery Countryside Alliance, available here.
• March 7, 2011: "MCPS and County Executive to Turn Organic Farm Into Ball Fields? Action Coming Without Public Comment, Violates Open Meeting Act," here.
• March 7, 2011: "County Executive Doug Duncan wanted the Brickyard Middle School site too. But the Board of Education didn't turn it over to him," here.
• March 6, 2011: "Cavalier manner of cancellation of lease," here.
• March 2011: "Where's the public process here, its public land (MCPS). We're steamed, as this is our second farmer friend to have the rug pulled out from under them," from House in the Woods CSA blog here.

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Radio/TV coverage

• May 9, 2012: "Soccer fields: Brickyard Coalition accuses Leggett of hiding records," by Ben Eisler, on wjla.com, available here.
• March 20, 2012: "Montgomery Council Wants Say In Plan To Sell County Property," by Matt Bush, on WAMU.org, available here.
• March 20, 2012: "Some Montgomery County executive powers could be stripped," by Ben Eisler, on wjla.com, available here.
• March 8, 2012: "Montgomery County Council bill would reduce executive's power, stop Potomac soccer field plan," by Ben Eisler, on wjla.com, available here.
• January 31, 2012: "Potomac residents raise ethics concerns over public land", by Ben Eisler on wjla.com, available here.
• January 13, 2012: "Potomac residents oppose plan turning organic farm into soccer fields," by Ben Eisler on wjla.com, available here.
• December 15, 2011: "Farmer Strives To Stay On School Land," by Jessica Gould, on WAMU.org, available here.
• December 13, 2011: "Protecting a Potomac farm," by Jummy Olabanji, on wjla.com, available here.
• November 17, 2011: "Nick’s Organic Farm Petitions to Keep Potomac Land," by Brendan Ponton, in Capital News Service, availble here.
• April 5, 2011: "Land Battle Brewing in Potomac: Craig Melvin reports on the opposition to a proposal to put soccer fields on an area that is currently an organic farm," NBC Washington news, available here.
• March 9, 2011: Comment from Nick Maravell in "The Art of Urban Farming," starting at minute 50:15, on the Kojo Nnamdi radio show on WAMU 88.5, Washington, DC, available here.
• March 7, 2011: "Montgomery County School Board to Vote on Turning Land into Soccer Complex," ABC News Channel 7, video available here.

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Video clips of meetings

• June 9th meeting. Green Roads TV (GRTV) was on hand to capture the event. GRTV is a Mark Leisher Productions.
  http://www.markleisherproductions.com

• Montgomery Countryside Alliance & Mark Leisher Productions present a 4-min teaser for a new film about Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve. Please donate to MCA (mocoalliance.org/get-involved/donate-now/) to help raise the funds needed to produce the feature-length story! (Music courtesy of Al Petteway and Amy White) HD Version

• April 4 meeting