University of Maryland to build 'green' research farm

University of Maryland wants to lead the sustainability charge with a proposed “green” research center. With a funding campaign under way, the university plans to begin construction on the farm in three to five years.

The facility will feature research and demonstration gardens, commercial research trials and commercial horticulture conferences. The green building also will provide a place for organic gardening classes and sustainability workshops.

The facility will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified green building on a land grant university property. LEED is a national standard for developing high performance, sustainable buildings administered by the United States Green Building Council.

Some of the site’s green building attributes include: A silo wind turbine for power; light tubes for natural light; rain collection systems; and green roofs.

At a price tag of $12 million to $15 million, the Central Maryland Research Farm would serve as a model for sustainable and energy-neutral practices. The university is looking to everyone, from businesses to individuals, for funding.

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For more: Ria Malloy, University of Maryland, (410) 531-5556; mmalloy@umd.edu; www.greenbuilding.umd.edu.

April 2008