Ribbon Cutting Planned for Oklahoma's First Community Farm

Contact: Commissioner Jim Roth
Phone: (405) 713-1501

Edmond, Ok (June 23rd, 2006) – Oklahoma will soon have its first community farm thanks to a unique partnership involving two nonprofit organizations, a local development company, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service.

On Monday, June 26, a 100-acre hay meadow known as Chitwood Farms in Edmond will be officially opened as a community farm. As such, the property will forever be managed as agricultural land that benefits the community and for local residents and community groups to establish gardens.

“The Edmond Land Conservancy is proud to be a partner in this innovative project,” said Rand Phipps, Chairman of the Edmond Land Conservancy (ELC). “This farm will forever remain as prime agricultural land and open space for the benefit of the Edmond community.”

Chitwood Farms was approved by the USDA for enrollment in the Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program in September of 2004. As a result, a conservation easement was placed on the property prohibiting subdivision or development of the site. The easement is held and monitored by Land Legacy, a statewide conservation group headquartered in Tulsa.

On Monday, June 26, the property’s owner, Turner and Company, will transfer the 100-acre hay meadow, known as Chitwood Farms, to the Edmond Land Conservancy for future management. ELC will oversee continued agricultural operations and work with area residents and community groups to establish gardens at the farm.

“Chitwood Farms is a model for future conservation efforts in Oklahoma County and elsewhere in the state,” said Jim Roth, Oklahoma County Commissioner, who will speak at Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “As the county grows, it is important that we preserve natural resources and protect open space in ways that benefit our communities.”

After Monday’s ribbon-cutting, Chitwood Farms will become Oklahoma’s only community farm. Community farms are common in other areas of the nation and help to protect agricultural land and create gardens in urban areas.

“Turner and Company is delighted to be a partner in this project,” said Derek Turner, President of Turner and Company, which developed a residential subdivision -- also called Chitwood Farms -- on 200 acres adjoining the hay meadow. “As our company creates new residential communities, we will continue to explore projects like Chitwood Farms that help to give back to the community by preserving important open spaces and natural resources.”

The ribbon-cutting will be held Monday, June 26, at 9 am at Chitwood Farms. Chitwood Farms is located on the east side of Post Road approximately 1 mile south of 2nd Street in eastern Edmond.

For more information on the project, please contact Rand Phipps of the Edmond Land Conservancy at (405) 410-4169 or Robert Gregory of Land Legacy at (918) 289-9228.