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REPORTED IN THE COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS OF MARYLAND No. 0228 September Term, 2009

LONG GREEN VALLEY ASSOCIATION, et al. v. BELLEVALE FARMS, INC., et al.

Meredith, Zarnoch, Kenney III, James A., (Retired, Specially Assigned), JJ.

Opinion by Kenney, J.

Filed: June 8, 2012

Appellants Long Green Valley Association ("LGVA") and John and Susan Yoder ("the Yoders") appeal the issuance of a declaratory judgment by the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in favor of appellees: Bellevale Farms, Inc., Bellevale Farms Limited Partnership, Prigel Family Creamery, Inc., and Robert E. and Carol A. Prigel (collectively, "Bellevale"), and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation ("MALPF").1 Appellants present one question, which we have reworded slightly: Did the circuit court err in concluding that appellants lack standing to bring an action challenging Bellevale's proposed construction and operation of a creamery in violation of an agricultural preservation easement held by MALPF? For the reasons that follow, we shall vacate the judgment and remand to the circuit court for further proceedings. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS2 Bellevale owns and operates a dairy farm ("Bellevale Farm") on approximately 199 acres located at 4851-53 Long Green Road in the Long Green Valley area of Baltimore County. The Yoders own and operate an adjacent dairy farm. MALPF is an entity of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. See MD. CODE ANN., AGRIC.,

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Maryland Law