Farms to Feds: Local Farms Feed Fed Workers

1/28/2019

Three cheers for Chef Jose Andres and DC Central Kitchen for their work to ensure that furloughed federal workers have access to healthy food during this tough time. The program will remain open through next week as payroll is sorted out. Kudos to MC farmers and hunters who are stepping up to help supply the effort!
One Acre Farm, Nick's Organic Farm, Metro Microgreens, BCC Izaak Walton League... list is growing 😉
MCA President Gene Kingsbury writes,
"We are pleased that we can call upon the bounties of the Ag Reserve and the generosity of its farmers to assist local Federal workers through hardships associated with the recent furloughs."

Where to next?
- Manna and Community Food Rescue - Feed More, Waste Less
-Happy Black History Month - Meet the MoCo Residents Preserving the History of a community of Freed Slaves in Poolesville
-Your Donations Keep the Ag Reserve Strong

Out and About With Annabel: Kingsbury's Orchard

1/25/2019

We are pleased to introduce the first in a series of reflections from Annabel Kauffman, an MCA volunteer, high school student and Ag Reserve resident. Learn more about her on our Staff and Volunteer Page. We are always looking for reflections for our site - drop us a line - [email protected]

“It is a rewarding experience to work on my orchard, knowing that I am continuing a family legacy that started almost 100 years ago.” Gene Kingsbury

Faithful Pooch Maggie at the Orchard.

Kingsbury’s Orchard has been a family owned farm since 1907. I talked to fifth generation farmer Gene Kingsbury about his land and crops. In the beginning Gene’s family used the 132 acres for mostly dairy farming, with only a few peach trees. In 1930 his great grandfather, Phil Horine, stepped away from the dairy business and started in the peach orchard business. Gene says his inspiration comes from memories of his grandfather working on their farm. Now Kingsbury’s Orchard uses about 55 acres to grow 50 varieties of peaches, 20 varieties of apples, as well as apricots, pears, sweet cherries, and other fruit trees.

Gene has also been called "The Poet Laureate of Peach Tree Road." Read his poems "This Peach" and "Timothy Time"

Kingsbury’s farm keeps Gene busy as there is work to do for every month, commenting that “orchard work is a year round job.” Pruning goes on throughout the winter months, followed by the planting, fertilizing and thinning seasons. Harvest begins in mid-June starting with sweet cherries, followed by apricots and peaches, and the first peaches ripen in late June and last through September 15th. The apples begin in early August and end in early November. Finally pears begin to ripen in mid-August and last through the end of September. Kingsbury's Orchard uses a specialized integrated pest management plan that has targeted pesticides which reduces the chemicals used on the farm.

During the past year weather has been a challenging factor for the farm. “Our record rainfall last year made it extremely difficult to grow and harvest good quality fruit.” This record rainfall is likely a result of the continuing climate change which also creates other difficulties such as spring frost damage, hail, drought, and fruit sunburn from excessive heat. Despite those obstacles Kingsbury Orchard still finds a way to produce, selling 75% of their crops through a retail market on site and the other 25% through local stores such as Giant and Whole Foods.

Gene is very appreciative of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, stating that “Kingsbury’s Orchard would not be in business without the help of the Agricultural Reserve, it keeps the land safe and benefits the county's urban areas.” To view harvest schedules, and when to visit the farm please check out the the Kingsbury’s Orchard.

Where to next?
What Would Your Name Be if You Were An Apple Variety?
Your Donations Keep Us Strong

Re-Leaf the Reserve: Re-Foresting to Combat Climate Change

1/18/2019

New Program to accelerate afforestation and reforestation in support of Montgomery's County's Climate Change Response Plan

Announcing a new MCA Program that will help reach the county's climate change goals and enhance stream buffers for better water quality.

In the County, developers chopping trees must either replant the same number on the site or pay into a "fee in lieu" fund that will re-forest other areas. The Planning Department has used some of this now million dollar fund to re-forest 32 acres of stream buffers in county parks.

But we think we can do more, much more.

The Reserve is ripe for reforestation on lands that are not suitable for crops. MCA will be matching private landowners with the Planning Department to plan tree plantings.

An acre of trees can absorb 68 tons of carbon - the same as taking 17 cars off the road for a year. In rural locations, one acre of forest can produce between $12,000-$77,000 in environmental benefits each year. See more on the impact of reforestation from Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Our global climate challenge needs all the solutions we can throw at it. However, along with promotion of Regenerative Agriculture, another project we are taking on this year, reforestation represents huge carbon cutting potential with lower costs than transportation or retrofitting projects.

To learn more - Visit our ReLeaf Information Page

Where to next?
Hemp, Hemp Hooray! A Super -Crop is Legal- now what?
It's CSA Season - Is a CSA Right for you?

Mentoring, Land, Connections - it takes a Village to Raise a Farmer

1/17/2019

Terri Pitts

A recent Civil Eats Article about mentoring, land linking and other services to farmers drove home to us that as the average age of farmers hits 70, not only do these elder farmers have an important role in mentoring the next generation, but the new generation can't farm without it.

They also can't farm without land - that is where programs like Land Link Montgomery - based on successful programs across the country, comes in. As the article pointed out, these programs need investment to help them better connect landowners with land seekers.

Those lessons can be boiled down to a few key points: While listing land owners and seekers is important, it’s adding boots-on-the-ground work to that service that really makes the magic happen. That kind of connection requires significant funding, however, which is usually lacking.

This year, we are going to invest more time in adding more landowners to Land Link and making more matches happen. If you have been considering offering a land lease, contact us to get started [email protected]

MCA is the boots on the ground adding more food and fiber producers to our Ag Reserve and so far we have created 400 acres of new and expanded farm businesses. Please invest in local farms with your tax-deductible gift today.

News

Farms to Feds: Local Farms Feed Fed Workers

Out and About With Annabel: Kingsbury's Orchard

Re-Leaf the Reserve: Re-Foresting to Combat Climate Change

Mentoring, Land, Connections - it takes a Village to Raise a Farmer

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