"Farming will evolve with time. No one knows what the future holds. One thing we do know is that people will need food. This large contiguous area of farmland will only grow in importance." - Doug Lechlider
This year we are pleased to honor Doug Lechlider of Laytonsville Turf Farm with the Royce Hanson Ag Reserve Champion Award.
Doug has been a stalwart collaborator, bringing voice to issues impacting farmers in the Reserve. His inclusive and level-headed approach has brought balance to a number of zoning issues that threaten to take farmland out of production. Doug served on the solar work group that found a path forward for solar in the Reserve that preserves prime soils and he was instrumental in championing farmland protections in a proposal to allow overnight stays as a conditional use in the Reserve. Doug is currently engaged in thoughtful advocacy for the Reserve's farms as solar developers seek state approval to put large arrays on prime soils in conflict with county policies.
As a 5th generation farmer, Doug knows the importance of protecting farmland. He grew up on a crop and livestock farm in Laytonsville, MD, taking part in 4 H and FFA. In 1989, soon after the creation of the Reserve, he started a landscape business specializing in erosion control. Since then, Laytonsville Turf Farm has grown from 40 acres of sod planted to prevent sedimentation to 700 acres of various crops farmed by Doug, his wife Robin and son Matthew.
Doug's focus on erosion prevention has led to the use of innovative farming practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping and no-till farming.
Doug has been a stalwart collaborator, bringing voice to issues impacting farmers in the Reserve. His inclusive and level-headed approach has brought balance to a number of zoning issues that threaten to take farmland out of production. Doug served on the solar work group that found a path forward for solar in the Reserve that preserves prime soils and he was instrumental in championing farmland protections in a proposal to allow overnight stays as a conditional use in the Reserve. Doug is currently engaged in thoughtful advocacy for the Reserve's farms as solar developers seek state approval to put large arrays on prime soils in conflict with county policies.
As a 5th generation farmer, Doug knows the importance of protecting farmland. He grew up on a crop and livestock farm in Laytonsville, MD, taking part in 4 H and FFA. In 1989, soon after the creation of the Reserve, he started a landscape business specializing in erosion control. Since then, Laytonsville Turf Farm has grown from 40 acres of sod planted to prevent sedimentation to 700 acres of various crops farmed by Doug, his wife Robin and son Matthew.
Doug's focus on erosion prevention has led to the use of innovative farming practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping and no-till farming.
Doug puts in the time on his own farm but also and works productively with others to secure the protection of the Reserve, "as citizens and Ag. leaders of MC it is important to educate ourselves, as well as new County leaders, of the purpose and importance the AR has to MC as well as the entire region. New pressures to open this area to commercial entities will only intensify. To this point I believe coalitions of different groups with similar goals is very important."
Doug makes time to be involved with the farming community - he serves on a number of boards and committees, including: Senior Farmers Club
Montgomery Agricultural Producers
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Montgomery County Agricultural Advisory Committee
Montgomery County Farm Bureau
Maryland Ag Commission
Maryland Agriculture Council
Turf Producers of MD
Doug makes time to be involved with the farming community - he serves on a number of boards and committees, including: Senior Farmers Club
Montgomery Agricultural Producers
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Montgomery County Agricultural Advisory Committee
Montgomery County Farm Bureau
Maryland Ag Commission
Maryland Agriculture Council
Turf Producers of MD
We are proud to honor this hard working and community minded farmer!
