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Our thanks to stalwart partners Heritage Montgomery for this great video featuring Ag Reserve farms, narrated by our own Caroline Taylor.
Update: From our partners at Sugarloaf Alliance on two points: 1. The FredCo Council just held their final hearing on the Sugarloaf overlay zone that offers critical protections for the farms and forests of the area on December 12 A final vote is scheduled for December 19. Click here for addresses and talking points to contact the council. Press on the Dec. 12 meeting Video of comments from Steve Black of Sugarloaf Alliance 2. There are plans to allow data centers in the Sugarloaf plan area - this new water and power hungry land use takes farmland out of production and is incompatible with the protective zoning the Sugarloaf plan proposes. Sign Sugarloaf Alliance's petition here. A really good background on why data centers cause immense concern from Maryland Matters. In FredCo - the News Post reports that the price tag for upgrading the grid to deal with the needs of the new proposed data centers is 5 Billion - who will pay for that? It has been a long road to getting the Sugarloaf region of Frederick County the protection it needs. The Treasured Sugarloaf Management Plan has been through several false starts spanning years.
The plan is now back in front of the County Council for another round of public hearings and a final vote. The plan needs support to clear this hurdle. Emails can be sent to [email protected] Here are some talking points: - We support the Overlay’s I-270 boundary from Montgomery County to the Monocacy. Cutouts will degrade the strength of the plan. The Overlay and the Plan’s preservation goals are important including: - “To address the scale and visual impact of land uses and developments that can degrade rural qualities, excessively burden the transportation network, and overwhelm the scenic and rural nature of the Sugarloaf Planning area - “To minimize adverse impacts of land development activities on forestlands and natural habitats - “To regulate the amount of impervious surfaces to control the volume of stormwater runoff and stream bank erosion, maintain levels of groundwater infiltration, and retain as many of the functions provided by natural land as possible Some background on how we got here (a deeper dive can be found with Sugarloaf Alliance) - Carve outs of the plan to allow farmland to become an industrial use along 270 were proposed to accommodate backroom deals with Amazon- only uncovered thanks to public information act requests. "More Public Records reveal details of Amazon's failed data center plans". -Civic groups, partilarly Sugarloaf Alliance were instrumental in getting the plan boundary restored to 270 to the East and the Monocacy Battlefield in the west - common sense coverage for the plan. -Stronghold, the nonprofit that stewards Sugarloaf Mountain threatened to close the Mountain if the plan went through as proposed, one of a number of Sugarloaf country residents considering the plan overreach - when in fact no current uses would be prohibited under the plan. -The Council passed the plan but not the overlay - the part of the plan with the teeth of zoning to keep land in farming and protect standing forests. That part was remanded back to the Planning Commission. -Fast forward to October 2023 when having reviewed the overlay from scratch, the Planning Commission sent a mostly unchanged overlay back to the Council Council with a strong recommendation to approve it. MCA is deeply grateful to Afrithrive, Kingsbury Orchards, Shepherds Hey Farm, and Sugarland Ethnohistory project for hosting. Thrilled to have Royce Hanson join as well.
Halloween kicks off a season where holiday traditions center around farm products. A pumpkin on every stoop, a turkey in every pot, harried travelers trying to get sweet potato pie leftovers (why are there leftovers?) through security.
Year Round Markets: Whether you are making an old favorite or finding new side dishes to try - they will be better with local ingredients grown right here in MoCo. A Farmers Market the week before Thanksgiving is a truly joyful place. Find your market here. Other On-Farm Markets: Deere Valley Farm: Dickerson, selling beef, pork, chicken, lamb and baked goods. RB Savage and Sons Farm - Dickerson. Selling beef, chicken, eggs and preserves Savage Acres Farm - Dickerson, Selling farm fresh beef and pork year round and raw milk cheese from their own cows. Read up on their grass-fed beef operation Kingsbury Orchard - Dickerson. Cider, Apples, Asian Pears Lewis Orchards - Dickerson. Lots of locally grown produce and preserves in stock - taking pre-orders for pies. East Rivendell Farm - Damascus - on farm vegetable market with chicken, turkeys, bath+ body and more. Online ordering available. Butlers Orchard - On farm market and pre orders for turkey and pie. Check on you pick apple availability. Doc Water's Cidery - Some pick your own apples remain plus farm pressed cider for both kiddos and adults. Pre-Ordering Pre-Made Items and Farm Fresh Ingredients:
Wine and Beer: Rocklands Farm Winery Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Windridge Vineyard Waredaca Brewing Co. Brookeville Beer Farm Ideas for Next Year No turkeys you say? Yes, the small farms of the Reserve mostly operate on tighter margins than larger livestock farms and customers need to pre-order their birds early to be sure there are homes for each bird that is raised - usually ordering by mid October or earlier. Some places to secure your bird next year:
We are grateful to have so much incredible food close by - and for farmers that make it happen. MCA was humbled to be honored by Montgomery Preservation with the Montgomery Award for more than 20 years of educating the public and creating programs in the Agricultural Reserve that defend and maintain the Reserve as an agricultural area and that preserve the historic rural landscapes of Montgomery County. Other Upcounty projects included the Local's Farm Market and a Scout project at Boyds School. Learn more here.
Update: The PSC Chair responds to disappointment on the part of Governor Moore and others that the Commission held Aligned to the laws governing this kind of development. Simply put - 70 MW of backup power is the permissible amount where Aligned claimed they needed around 500MW of backup power. This law is in place to prevent increased emissions in more frequent times of power outages. The Frederick News Post is reporting that having not gotten approval for 168 diesel generators they needed to complete construction of their data center project, Aligned is pulling the plug on the Quantum Loophole project in Adamstown. Reads in Part: "Executive Jessica Fitzwater, said Aligned’s decision “demonstrates the State’s regulatory framework is a barrier to companies investing here.” Commission spokesperson Tori Leonard said on Wednesday that the commission operated under its legal authority and stands by its order. “As noted in the Commission’s October 10 Order ... the Commission takes seriously its statutory obligation to consider the impact of its decisions on the climate of our state, and rejected ... [Aligned’s] request to not consider the total capacity of its backup diesel generators,” Leonard wrote in an emailed statement." Aligned letter of withdrawal MCA was proud to partner with Clean Water Action and a coalition of other state wide groups to oppose the granting of an exception that would have allowed these generators. One wonders how this development will impact the Terra Energy proposal for 20 data centers along the Potomac in Dickerson. Background: Sugarloaf Alliance has been ably documenting the Quantum Loophole proposal and multiple environmental infractions as tunnels were dug for fiber cables. MCA coverage: Take Action: Developers Looking to Turn Frederick Farmland into Huge Data Center - Bore Under Potomac in 3 Places ![]() Sugarloaf Citizens Association Board of Directors 2023-2024 Back row: L-R: Gil Rocha, Lauren Greenberger, Steve Findlay, Ellen Gordon Ballard, Jay Cinque, Jane Hunter, Jim Brown, Dick Hill, Dan Savino Front row, L-R: Lili Leonard, Heidi Rosvold-Brenholtz, Tina Thieme Brown, Marcey Guramatunhu, Andrew Donaldson Not pictured: Danny Huntington, Tim Whitehouse, Scott Rockafellow, Jennifer Freeman, Shelley Heron, and Kim Penn, administrative assistant Thrilled to announce the 2023 Royce Hanson Agricultural Champion Award goes to Sugarloaf Citizens’ Association!Fifty years and going strong, the Sugarloaf Citizens’ Association’s (SCA) all volunteer powered non-profit stewards Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve giving voice to its purpose and future.
Tenacious, and scrappy when needed, SCA is on the frontlines when ill-conceived land use proposals surface. But they are also forward thinking about the need to promote the Reserve’s role in climate change and food system resiliency. Their headquarters, Linden Farm in Dickerson, serves dual roles as community event/meeting space and home to an important regenerative farming pilot. No doubt that the Reserve’s future vibrancy will rely on the continued work of SCA and their resourceful and dedicated members. More on SCAs Work Past Royce Hanson Award Awardees Fairland - Briggs Chaney Master Plan - MoCo Planners Focus on Strong Food System for Eastern County9/26/2023
Farming at Eco City in PG County - an incubator program to train new farmers Update: The last step for this plan is approval from the County Council on 9/27. MCA has again submitted individual testimony and gathered other civic organizations to support this forward looking plan (with thanks to Susan Eisendrath's coordination help!) When we talk about food equity, one thing that gets lost is not just who gets access to quality food for consumption – but who gets the access to food growing opportunities. Broadening food production access has benefits for the whole community in the areas of equity, public health, economic development and more. We see this reflected in our Land Link program - most applicants are farmers of color seeking to grow culturally appropriate food for their community.
The new master plan for the Briggs Chaney - Fairland neighborhoods is a plan that incorporates a stronger food access system for residents by taking account of the things a typical plan does - access to grocery stores and restaurants but it goes further to encourage expanded community gardens and local food hubs to strengthen the local food system. This is an exciting development and MCA wrote to support this plan - both as an individual organization and jointly with partner organizations. MCA's letter here Joint Letter here The time is ripe to collaborate on solutions that get more residents growing. This draft plan’s focus on a sustainable local food system plan and Agriculture Technical Hub is the right step forward and the Eastern County is the idea place to take this step. With partners, we are envisioning a further step – a fully featured small farm incubator program that brings together land, equipment and mentoring to create thriving small farms on hubs throughout the County. We stand ready to partner to make this pilot project a reality in the Eastern County and scale up to other parts of the county. The plan in its draft form was well received and approved for the next step by the planning board. Follow along here. Also check out support for the plan from Dan Reed, native of Fairland. Update: The ICPRB reports that river flows are continuing to drop - "nearly 2 inches below normal with no relief in sight" in their most recent newsletter and that 90% of the Potomac Basin is currently in Drought. They also predict 6 inches more of snow through the winter season which will help water levels recover but may also bring more salt into waterways. Learn how to be salt smart with their tips. To say it has been dry is an understatement.The ICPRB (Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin) has begun drought operations. This includes plans to supplement low river flows with water from Little Seneca Reservoir and twice daily reporting on flow rates in the mighty Potomac. Put simply - we all rely on the River. The flow of the Potomac River is 665 million gallons per day, water suppliers take 400 million gallons out per day for use in the water and sewer system. That leaves 265 million gallons left over - it takes at least 100 Million gallons of water in the Potomac to prevent the complete collapse of the river ecosystem. And no rain is forecasted soon. The ICPRB is the same river stewards reporting that by 2040 climate change could cut stream flows by as much as 35% on an annual average (their 2010 report). Science should inform the region’s planning and goals of resource protection. We can (and must) prepare to live with less water when the data shows that is what is coming. We understand that the State has information that sheds light on the effect of climate change on our water supply. That critical information should be made publicly available as soon as possible. We need to pay attention and place resource conservation/protection at center of decision making. Future water shortages are a certainty and our actions today and future development patterns need to take this into account.
Stay tuned as more data comes to light to help navigate a drier future - and what we must do to adapt. More: America is using up its ground water like there is no tomorrow (NY Times) DC is preparing to draw on backup reservoirs as drought continues (DCist) Montgomery Countryside Alliance is the small (but mighty!) organization that is by and for the Ag Reserve. We connect new farmers with land, plant forever forests and advocate for clean water and smart development policies. Our local focus relies on local support. We'd be honored by your tax deductible gift.
Sugarloaf Mountain's Caretakers - Stronghold Inc. - are reopening the Mountain to the public on 10/10/23
There are parking changes and road spikes installed to keep people from going up the mountain the wrong way. Read More.
Also to Note - the Overlay Zone portion of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Plan will have a final vote at the FredCo Planning Commission on it's way to the County Council (or back to the drawing Board) on 10/11. Catch up on all the particulars on this and concerns on the environmental havoc being wrought by data center construction in Adamstown withSugarloaf Alliance.
Another update - The Mountain remains closed and Stronghold is towing cars that park there. Check out coverage in the Washington Post
Update:
We checked in with chairman of the Stronghold Board, John Webster, and he indicated that they will keep the mountain closed and had no estimate of when it would re-open. Mr. Webster reminded us that the foundation that manages the Sugarloaf, Stronghold Inc., is very unhappy about the conservation plan that is currently being considered by Frederick County. The plan properly aims to provide protection against sprawl development and loss of farmland and forest in the Sugarloaf region. Stronghold had previously warned they would permanently close the mountain to the public if the mountainās acreage remained in the plan. We have recommended that Stronghold work collaboratively with Frederick County to advance the plan while addressing their issues. Frederick News Post Coverage of the Latest Hearing (July '23) We understand the next hearing has not been scheduled yet. Stay Tuned. Meanwhileā¦ We outside enthusiasts are a resilient bunch. The great news is that we have a number of other close by opportunities to get out and about this fall and all year round. Montgomery Parks Trails āTop Area Trails Reviewed Frederick County Trails
Sugarloaf Mountain has closed for the foreseeable future to the public. This past weekend there was a break-in at the Strong Mansion, a venue associated with Sugarloaf Mountain. The burglar was injured and didn't take anything. Stronghold Inc. the nonprofit owners of Sugarloaf have elected to close the mountain while they assess security concerns. More from the Frederick News Post.
Perhaps you've heard that a few favorite foods face going extinct - bananas (which nearly ended in the 50s and are now under threat again), avocados, vanilla and (gasp!) coffee. The reasons are many - fungal infection, decreased water availability, and of course heat. One bright spot is a long overlooked, spindly understory tree - called the "banana of the Americas" - the PawPaw. PawPaws grow mango sized fruits in late summer/early Fall and can be found long river sides in forests. The outside is rough and green, the flesh inside is soupy, yellow and sweet with seeds inside. In other words - it resembles a tropical fruit but can be found wild in northern climes or cultivated in the mid-Atlantic and further south. The taste? Somewhere between a mango and a banana. It can be eaten fresh, made into ice cream, added to baked goods or smoothies- anything you can do with a mango. The wide leaves of a wild pawpaw in Guilford Woods - an area of forest in College Park subject to development by the University of Maryland and the Purple Line project. PawPaws are great stream buffer trees and can tolerate shade both in the wild and in cultivation. Want to learn more? Long Creek Permaculture Farm in Frederick County is hosting the 8th annual PawPaw Fest on September 16th, 2023. Michael Judd, the farmer there has quite literally written a book on this fantastic fruit.
MCA was happy to be asked on to the Doomer Optimism Podcast - the media outlet of a self identified "collective dedicated to discovering regenerative paths forward, highlighting the people working for a better world, and connecting seekers to doers."
Jason and Patrick of Doomer Optimism had some great questions about how the Ag Reserve came to be and how protecting farmland is an insurance policy against an increasingly uncertain world.
It is so refreshing to talk to folks seeing the Ag Reserve with fresh eyes to re-connect to the fact that it is an astonishing feat to have thriving farms on protected farmland this close to a bustling metro area. ā The entire podcast can be seen here. Below are a few clips from the show:
What (and Why) is the Ag Reserve?
Why Protect Farmland in Busy Montgomery County? Why not the Midwest, etc.
We reference the Pro Publica interactive map here (scroll to reach the "Farm Yield" map)
What is hopeful in the food system?
The Reserve as Resilience
The following is a guest post from contributor Natalie Armstrong, MCA volunteer and Program Officer with the National Academies of Sciences. Natalie is passionate about food systems and has broad experience in their study - from fisheries researcher in Greenland to running a CSA. Is a CSA right for you? Take our quiz and find your farmer here. In an increasingly urbanized world, the importance of sustainable agriculture and preserving our local farming communities cannot be overstated. The recent opinion piece published by Moco360, titled "MoCo Farms Need to Grow Community Investment," brings to light a pressing issue that Montgomery County faces. Particularly, the article emphasizes the need for community investment in local farms, and we believe that Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a powerful solution that not only addresses the concerns raised but also fosters a deeper connection between residents and the agricultural roots of their community. Strengthening Local Agriculture: Our greater food system is under pressure from environmental and economic pressures, including increased urbanization, recession fears, agricultural monocropping, desertification, climate change induced natural disasters, and more. By actively participating in CSA programs, community members can directly support local farmers, allowing them to continue their vital work. CSA not only provides financial stability for farmers but also allows them to focus on sustainable farming practices, preserving open spaces, and maintaining the cultural and community heritage associated with agriculture.
Access to Fresh, Nutritious Food: One of the primary benefits of CSA is that it enables residents to have access to fresh, locally grown produce. By subscribing to a CSA, individuals or families receive regular “shares” of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and often other farm products, such as eggs, honey, or dairy. This arrangement ensures that consumers receive the freshest, most nutritious food available, while also reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation.
Educational Opportunities: CSA programs often go beyond simply providing fresh produce. They provide an excellent opportunity for education and engagement. Many CSAs offer farm visits, workshops, and other educational activities to increase awareness and understanding of sustainable agriculture. By participating in CSA, community members gain a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into food production and develop a stronger connection to the land and the farmers who nourish them. Fostering a Strong Community: Community Supported Agriculture has the power to bring people together. By subscribing to a CSA, residents form a sense of community around a shared commitment to local agriculture. This connection can extend beyond the transactional relationship, as CSA members often have the opportunity to meet and interact with the farmers who grow their food. Through community events, farm visits, and shared recipes, CSA members build relationships with like-minded individuals, strengthening social bonds and promoting a sense of belonging. Conclusion In response to the thought-provoking article published by Moco360, it is clear that Community Supported Agriculture offers a compelling solution to the challenges faced by Montgomery County's farming community. By actively supporting local farmers through CSA programs, residents can play a crucial role in preserving agricultural landscapes, accessing fresh and nutritious food, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering a strong sense of community. Embracing CSA is not just an investment in the future of farming but also an investment in the overall well-being and resilience of our community. More to Explore:
"County House of Delegates Delegation are forming a workgroup to examine the county’s process for reviewing and approving development projects, with a special focus on ensuring the county remains economically competitive.”
Conservation Montgomery and Montgomery, Countryside Alliance have summited comments which read in part: “The organizational structure and decision-making power at Montgomery County Park and Planning has evolved over the past 15 years to become more concentrated, and at times, unchecked. There is a need for a more balanced, specialized, holistic, and inclusive approach to the development review process, master planning process, and general decision making within the Planning Department, especially with regards to planning for environmental resilience. There is a clear need for a new (reinstated) position – Chief of Environmental Planning.” We believe that the County’s economic health is inextricably tied to its environmental health.
MoCo's own Farmer Tanya of Passion to Seed Gardening in Laytonville (and her Mom!) were featured on former Senator Heidi Heitkamp's podcast "The Hot Dish."
MCA and SCA provide concerns recommendations to the Data Center applicant There are change coming to the Dickerson Power Plant property which has been closed. 740 acres of the property has been bought by a company called Terra Energy in August 2022.Terra’s owners have kept SCA, Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA), the Sierra Club and others apprised of their plans for this large parcel of land in Montgomery County. Those plans have evolved over the past year and will likely continue to evolve as the new owners scope out regulatory requirements and limits, and meet with county and state officials and assorted business partners and other groups. Here is a copy of our correspondence with Terra Innovations. We are sharing a post from our partners at Sugarloaf Citizens Association with a deep dive on the large data center(s) complex and energy storage facility Terra is planning to build on the land. Next steps: we will be meeting with the County Executive to convey our thoughts/concerns. We will meet with Terra Innovations to convey our requested conditions/provisions for their conditional use approval for both data centers and battery storage facility. MCA signed onto a letter with the Smarter Growth Alliance of Frederick County asking that the County Executive expand her previous executive order that was a pause on approval of data center site plans to add a pause on certain zoning map amendments while the new use of data centers is studied. The letter asks that a pause be expanded to include acceptance, review or approval of data centers while the report from the county's Data Center Working Group is in process and the County makes any policy changes based on that report. This common sense ask keeps data centers from rushing to apply now before new policies are enacted. More:
Northern VA Has a Data Center Problem Dominion proposes 230kV transmission infrastructure for Arcola data centers How Data Center Cooling Works and Can Promote Sustainability Reads in part:As much as 50% of all power used in a data center is spent on cooling technologies. Major enterprises are all moving towards reducing their carbon footprint, which means cooling technologies either have to change—or need to go. According to the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GESI), in their Smarter 2030 report, the digital world today, at this very moment, encompasses:
Glass Gem Corn - or "Rainbow Corn" - A native corn of North America Happy Pride - each June is an opportunity to spotlight the contributions and voices of LGBTQ+ folks across history and across vocations. Today we share some profiles of farmers that are making their mark on local farm systems.
More Resources:
A USDA Talk with Young Farmers LGBTQI+ Mental Health in Agricultural Communities (passcode:0%Q@Ank$) The Queer Farmer Network TF4TF - Trans Farmers for Trans Farmers Discord Chanel and Zine More resources to share? get in touch - [email protected] Montgomery Countryside Alliance is proud to announce we are the recipients of this year's Montgomery Preservation Award. From the Award Letter: "Your organization is a stellar model for education, advocacy, innovation, conservation, and preservation. The Montgomery County Awards provide inspiration and successful ideas for all admirers of historic landscapes and our history. " We are proud to accept this award and be among recent Ag Reserve awardees- including the rehabilitation of the Montevideo Bridge, the Sugarloaf Ethnohistory Project's archeology project. (Past Awardees Here) More to Explore:
Updated drought conditions here Montgomery County is in a moderate/severe drought Some water conservation tips for residents include:
Drinking water
For those in MC served by well (aquifer) water (which is everybody in Poolesville and Barnesville area, the Reserve and rural transition communities, including parts of Darnestown for example) take note. It is advisable to go into conservation mode when drought seems possible. Frankly, this is prudent, even for people on WSSC water. A shifting climate may create more drought periods and, paradoxically, higher velocity/volume rain events where stormwater runoff becomes an issue. More on our groundwater aquifer, how changing weather patterns will affect our region etc. here - worth the read: Understanding Groundwater in the Reserve The Coming Droughts and How to Cope What a joyful gathering June 7 at AfriThrive Cultural Farm in Poolesville! Council member Natali Fani-Gonzalez presented a Council Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week proclamation, recognizing the critical importance of small diverse sustainable farms, and the role of MCA’s Land Link program in connecting new and expanding diverse farms with over 500 acres of affordable farm acreage. Joining in the presentation was councilmember Andrew Friedson. Our friends at Manna Food joined in and it was properly noted that our local farms donate over 200,000 pounds of food each year. See the video here
Following the presentation and a robust discussion about challenges to farm start ups and initiatives needed to help, we traveled to nearby Chirandu Farm to see their progress in cultivating beautiful, varied, culturally relevant crops, including pumpkins, being grown for the fruit and delectable pumpkin leaves. |
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MCA is proud to announce that we have been recognized for a third time as one of the best small charities in the D.C. region by Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. A panel of 110 expert reviewers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, and peer non-profit organizations evaluated 270 applications.
MCA is known as an effective and innovative non-profit whose efforts to preserve and promote Montgomery County’s nationally recognized 93,000 acre Ag Reserve have brought increased public and governmental support of local food production and farmland and open space preservation. Most importantly, MCA’s efforts are putting more farmers on the ground and keeping them there. |