Farm to Fork: The Farms Behind the Menu

8/28/2017

We are inviting our supporters to celebrate the Reserve with their palate at our first ever Farm to Fork benefit dinner on September 16.

Currently, we are working with our chefs, Brian Patterson, of L'Academie de Cuisine and Mark Mills, Chocolates & Tomatoes Farm to source as much as possible solely from Agricultural Reserve Farmers for your meal and you may be lucky enough to have one of the featured farmers at your table. Click over to see the menu.

We are working hard to source local ingredients because they tell the story of the Ag Reserve's importance. For example, the peach and concord grape chutney is made with concord grapes from our gracious hosts, Shepherd's Hey Farm and peaches from 5th Generation farmer Gene Kingsbury's carefully tended orchard. As chair of our Education Committee, Gene joyfully shares his lifetime of farm knowledge with students both in the classroom and on his farm to create the next generation of farm stewards.

Gene Kingsbury checks on the harvest at Kingsbury Orchard

Event Coordinator Ellen Letourneau collects grapes at Shepherd's Hey

The resulting peach chutney - perfect for slathering on local made bread or local meat

One of the evening's chefs, Mark Mills of Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm, is a graduate of the New Farm Pilot program in which MCA partnered with the County to train the next generation of Montgomery County's Farmers. Mark was a successful pastry chef until he decided to get closer to the ingredients. His exquisite confections now feature ingredients grown on land he has leased through our Land Link program.

Join us to find even more delicious local food connections and enjoy an amazing meal for a great cause.

Our Farm Partners:

Spokes Magazine: Bikes Heart Farmland

8/14/2017

Spokes Magazine did a gorgeous article on the importance of a working landscape to cyclists generally and the Ag Reserve specifically. Check out the article here.

And be sure to sign up to ride the Reserve with us on October 8!

Your Ag Reserve Summer Bucket List: 6 Things to do Before Fall

8/4/2017

Forget the Beach - Eat a Peach

When the calendar turns to August we are on the downhill toward September. This is the time that thoughts turn to new school outfits and a return to routine. But wait! There is time left to have uniquely summer adventures and you don't have to get out of town to do so. Wonder is waiting out your back door in Montgomery County's Ag Reserve.

1. Ice Cream, with a story

Of course Ice Cream is first on the list. Your local scoop shop has nothing on Woodbourne Creamery in Mt. Airy. The farm is a stop on the Maryland's Best Ice Cream trail. The farm boasts North America's first all robotic milking system for its pasture raised cows. Tour the creamery and grab a scoop of MoCo's finest ice cream! (they offer pick your own too, click Rock Hill Orchard below)

2. Pick your own ___ (or get pre-picked)

This is the time that local farms are harvesting many of your favorites. Tomatoes, peaches, blackberries, and soon apples and pumpkins. Make a day of it and visit your local pick your own or pre-picked farm. (A reminder that the seasonality of produce can rapidly change - always call or check social media before heading to a farm to be sure they have what you are looking for.)
Pick Your Owns (often offer pre-pick too):
Lewis Orchard, Butler's Orchard, Homestead Farm, Rock Hill Orchard, Water's Orchard (open in September 2017)
Pre-Pick: Kingsbury's Orchard

This photo gives us summer in the middle February.

3. Get your feet wet (in the Nation's River)

The Nation's River provides great recreation opportunities close by. Join an event with our friends Potomac Conservancy or Canoe Cruisers . We are working with Canoe Cruisers to find a solution to closures of 2 miles of river coast to coast while President Trump is golfing at his resort on the Virginia side.

4. Sips on the Farm

Montgomery County has a number of spots to drink local - often with food trucks and live music to round out your evening.

Rocklands Farm and Winery

Sugarloaf Mountain Winery

Waredaca Brewery

Brookeville Beer Farm

5. Celebrate the Harvest -Support MCA

Join us for the first ever Farm to Fork dinner on September 16. Celebrate with purpose and help protect the Beauty, Bounty and History of Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve, while mingling with the farmers whose livelihood depends on its preservation and enjoying the carefully grown fruits of their labors. A bountiful banquet of locally sourced vegetables, meat, baked goods, fruit & libations ~ masterfully orchestrated by chef Brian Patterson of L'Academie De Cuisine. The venue is gorgeous Shepherd's Hey Farm at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.

6. Get ready for a Fall Classic- Ride the Rustic Roads with Us!

Join us for the 10th annual Ride for the Reserve bike tour October 8 - routes of 10-75 miles with farm stops and a picnic at Kingsbury's Orchard Join Us!

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