Metro Parks (FRMP) in Montgomery County near Dayton incorporate agriculture into their operations and programs, preserving the agricultural heritage of the region. Miami County Park District features the Knoop Agricultural Heritage Center and a working farm at its Lost Creek Reserve, a valuable resource for interpreting the farm life practiced by the families that settled the area. The Fall Farm Fest at Lost Creek Reserve celebrates the region's agriculture heritage. The Park District also received assistance through programs in the Farm Bill to protect wildlife habitat and riparian corridors. More information is available at www.miami countyparks.com. Five Rivers Metro Parks has developed a comprehensive program focusing on agriculture. The agency operates a farmers market, engages youth in agriculture programs and employs conservation practices. As FRMP began acquiring land to build its park system, agriculture modernization in the early 1960s made farmland available for sale. FRMP added thousands of acres of parkland by outright purchase or conservation easements on farmland. Preserving the community's agricultural heritage is aligned with the agency's mission of conservation, education and recreation. FRMP established Possum Creek and Carriage Hill as farm parks to connect people to nature through history, farming and food. Carriage Hill immerses visitors in the farm experience - learn more at www. metroparks.org. These are just two examples of the growing number of park and recreation agencies that are integrating agriculture into their operations and programming. NRPA's Parks and Conservation Network would like to hear about your agency's or district's experience with the agriculture community. Visit www.nrpa.org/ Membership/NRPA-Networks to get started. Mark Alan Young is a consultant with Parks Forever Consulting (markayoung90@gmail. com). Design with Water Odyssey to create unique water features & environments. % # ! % # Contact Us: 512.392.1155 | www.waterodyssey.com W W W. N R PA . O R G | M AY 2 0 1 4 | Parks & Recreation 27