The Scott family’s agricultural background in Montgomery County dates back to 1948, when Owen Scott purchased their farm in Dickerson.  Today, Owen’s son and grandson, David Scott, Sr. and David Scott, Jr., work together to continue their farming legacy.  They grow corn, soybeans and wheat on 270 acres at their home farm, plus an additional 1,200 acres under lease agreements with other local landowners.
 
David Scott, Jr. would tell you that working full-time as a commodity farmer is not for the risk averse.  He encounters new challenges every year.  Farmers know Mother Nature can be their best friend or worst enemy.  Crop yields depend on the right balance of sunshine, rainfall and air temperatures.  David says other challenges include controlling wildlife damage to crops and urban growth.  Fortunately, most farmers in the Ag Reserve find that the level of satisfaction they gain by working the land to grow their own crops far outweighs the challenges and risks associated with their profession. 
 
Montgomery County’s future in agriculture depends on the success of farmers like David Scott, Jr., who is truly committed to working with his father to continue their farming operation.  When asked why he went into farming, David said, “My father inspired me to pursue my career in farming because I grew up on the farm and enjoyed the lifestyle.”  
 
The MCA was proud to recognize the Scott family with its prestigious Royce Hanson Award in 2017 for their outstanding contributions to agriculture in the Ag Reserve. 

Montgomery Countryside Alliance is the small (but mighty!) organization the protects local farms and the Ag Reserve,  we are of and for the Reserve community and appreciate your support!

"Wait what is the Ag Reserve?" - We hear this a whole lot, even from people who live close by. We do a lot of outreach to show the importance of protecting farms on Metro's edge but the most fun way to raise awareness is through events that connect people to the wonder of this place. 

Save the Date! This will be the 11th year that cyclists from all over the region have saddled up to bike the Rustic Roads of the Ag Reserve. There are routes of varying lengths for the hard core or the sunday biker - including a 10mi family loop. All routes culminate in a sumptuous picnic lunch and your registration protects the Reserve as a haven for farms, open space and of course, biking. All current MCA members get the member rate on registration. 

We are working hard to sort out a lot initiatives coming out of Rockville that will need some work. And we could use your action. Your voice matters. 
 
These three zoning text amendments are problematic as written:

1. ZTA 18-03 Alcohol Production and Event Facilities in Reserve and all Rural Residential Zones
   ​Recommend: Approval with amendments 
   ​Proposed amendments include: ensuring that there is a required farming component of the business, providing for conditional use process for facilities that will hold large weddings and events, providing for clear hours of operation, lighting standards, providing for applicable forest and water protection standards.
2. ZTA 18-01 Commercial and Community Solar Arrays (2 mgw – covering up to 12 acres) in Rural Residential Zones  Recommend: Approval with amendments
   Proposed amendments include: reduce array height from 20’ to 10’, provide for larger buffer to property line, slightly taller security fencing and address the need to ensure that the provision advanced the stated goal of solar availability to low and moderate income residents through Maryland’s Community Solar Program. MCA and partners are opposing the request to add the Reserve to the zoning change prior to a comprehensive renewable energy plan, which should be part of a larger climate change response plan… one that we do not have.
3. ZTA 18-04 Expansion of non-conforming grandfathered uses in Reserve
   Recommend: Approve With Amendment (dated May 2)
   Our understanding is that this amendment aims to ensure that Davis Airfield in Laytonsville complies with current FAA requirements. As currently written, the amendment will allow for expansion of all non-conforming uses existing prior to 2014, including but not limited to schools, cemeteries, industrial uses, landscape contractors, airfields etc. This conflicts with the zoning and master plan.

Looking for good refining language but haven’t got it yet.

There is a another issue we are carefully tracking: In late June, a final Council vote is expected on the Ten-Year Water and Sewer Plan. At issue are the rules by which the County switches a property or cluster of properties from septic to sewer service. Since sewer lines may promote sprawl and urbanization which damages clean water supplies, it's crucial that we keep unnecessary sewer lines out of the Ag Reserve and its low-density residential buffer. 

​Send to:  [email protected]
           
       BCC: [email protected]

Dear Council and Planning Board Members,

I support the continued careful stewardship of our County’s rural and agricultural land and communities. In keeping with that goal, I am writing to ask that you take the following actions:

1.    ZTA 18-03 Approve with MCA recommended amendments
2.    ZTA 18-01  Approve with MCA recommended amendments
3.    ZTA 18-04  Oppose

I support the collaborative efforts of Montgomery Countryside Alliance and partners in working toward legislative amendments that will ensure that zoning changes are supportive of our master plans, environmental protection, and will advance a vital and diverse agricultural and rural economy. Please engage in careful planning for the County’s renewable energy and climate change response goals prior to major zoning changes that will affect other preservation efforts. I do not support extension of commercial solar array installations in the Ag Reserve, beyond the current provision of 120% solar generation, before the County conducts planning.
Thanks for your consideration.

​Moreover, I thank the Councilmembers (Hucker, Berliner, Riemer, Elrich, and Navarro) who voted on March 20 in a straw vote for the Elrich Amendment to the County’s 10 Year Water and Sewer Plan. We urge these Councilmembers and their colleagues to vote for clean water in the final vote in June.
Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,
<your name here>