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News

What Grows in the Ag Reserve?

4/11/2022

 
The question was raised in the County Executive Green Forum ​- what actually grows in the Ag Reserve? Quite a lot! Here is our attempt to cram all the fruit, vegetables, livestock, herbs, dairy, fiber, spirits, partnership, resilience and joy that grows in the Reserve in just 2 minutes. (Rather just the dry data? We digest the most recent Ag Census results for the county here) 
But Wait! There is even more! There is a misconception that commodity crops grown in the Reserve are somehow "not food." Check out what happens to all that winter wheat. 
What are the candidates' views on the highest and best use of our protected farmland? Stay tuned for the results of our candidates' questionnaire in the coming weeks!

Two New Farm Markets Open in the Reserve

7/28/2020

 
Two new Reserve farm markets are up and running this summer. Despite the Ag Reserve's local food production, it is in fact a food desert as the last grocery store closed some years ago. Like in urban areas, farmers markets can bridge the gap when full service groceries are not available.  ​
​First up, Cozzi Family Farm Co-Op Market. We connected the Cozzi Family crew with about 2 acres in Poolesville to expand their pastured poultry operation through Land Link. They have gathered a number of other farms, crafters (including face mask makers) and another Land Link match - Wildflower Farm of Dickerson. The market is happening both days each weekend in the Bassetts parking lot on Fisher Ave. See the flyer below:
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Next up - Locals Farm Market with produce, pastries and pottery ordered online and either picked up or delivered for a fee. 
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If you are full up on produce from your own backyard and have extra to share - here is an opportunity to share with hungry folks in MoCo. 

Share Your Garden Extras with Hungry MoCo Folks

7/27/2020

 
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Thrilled to get word of a new volunteer venture that connects folks with extra garden produce (and honey and eggs, not meat, dairy). See the flyer here for details of easy drop off locations and contact info.  The organization involved also host drop-offs down county - find those here. 

Local Food Round-Up: July

7/2/2020

 
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Big Ideas: The Future of Food in Montgomery County

1/17/2020

 
As part of the Thrive 2050 campaign to update the county's general plan, the planning department is hosting a number of panel discussions on big topics. We were proud to be the moderator for the first topic - 'The Future of Food'. Our own Caroline Taylor moderated a discussion with Ben Butler of Butler Orchard, Greg Glenn of Rocklands Farm, Darryl Perkins of the Broccoli City Festival  and Hannah Shoulder of the Koiner Center for Sustainable Farming It was an over capacity crowd on a rainy evening to connect and discuss how we feed ourselves and our neighbors in this new decade. You can see the whole session below. 

Big Ideas Series: The Future of Food from M-NCPPC on Vimeo.

January 14, 2020 Thrive Montgomery 2050 Winter Speaker Series

Farming and farmland continue to evolve since the establishment of the Agricultural Reserve nearly four decades ago. While traditional agricultural activities, including grain farms and livestock operations have sustained, Montgomery County has more recently experienced an increase in tabletop food production, horticulture and agritourism industries. Furthermore, access to healthy food and overall health has a direct correlation to wealth, race and ethnicity in the United States. How can we provide healthy food access for all residents to foster an equitable, prosperous future in Montgomery County? Learn from experienced farmers working in urban, suburban and rural areas on how to plan for food production.

Source Your Thanksgiving Locally

11/14/2019

 
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​As busy as we get, Thanksgiving is still a time that we return to time-honored traditions. These rituals still rely on local farmers. Give thanks for our local farmers by sourcing your feast locally!
Turkeys: (Please Note - pre-ordering ASAP is essential for local turkeys-get in touch as soon as you can)
  • Nick's Organic Farm
  • Fox Hollow Farm
  • Plow and Stars Farm
  • Savage and Sons Farm (this was a stop on our Ride for the Reserve Bike Tour)

Full Meals:
  • The Plow and Stars/Pizza Brama Thanksgiving Box is Back! Locally grown favorites prepared by a great local chef and ready for your oven- pickup and delivery options. 
  • Our friends at Harvest Plates + Pints (who crafted an incredible meal at our Farm to Fork Dinner) are hosting a thanksgiving brunch which is a genius way to clear the afternoon for a nap.
All the Sides:
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. 
And this just in - if you need a lot of sweet potatoes our friends at Purple Mountain Organics can take your order for 50 lbs or more. 

Flowers:
Stephanie's Secret Garden Flower Shop and Gypsy Flower Farm are offering a class to help you create gorgeous table arrangements for Thanksgiving. Stephanie can also create something gorgeous for you - like she did for our Farm to Fork Dinner. 
For the Vegans:
Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary hosts a Thanksgiving WITH the Turkeys each year (Nov.23 this year) - a vegan potluck for human visitors and all sorts of treats given to the Turkeys and other residents of this Ag Reserve sanctuary. 

Wine and Beer:
Rocklands Farm Winery
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Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
Windridge Vineyard
Waredaca Brewing Co. 
​Brookeville Beer Farm

The Farm Food Donation Pilot Program: Win-Win-Win

2/25/2019

 
Update: HB 403 Passed - the food donation pilot program was extended another 2 years and expanded to Baltimore County. Three cheers to all the food advocates who made this possible!
Three Cheers for our Friends at ​Community Food Rescue who are connecting hungry neighbors with good food and reducing food waste. One source of food for hungry folks is donated or gleaned food straight from local farms - farmers can get a tax credit for these donations. Read on for information from CFR on the Farm Food Donation Pilot Program and write state representatives to extend this program before it sunsets at the end of the year. 
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Farmers—Get Tax Credit When Donating Surplus Food to Charity
The Farm Food Donation Pilot Program, signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan, allows eligible farmers to take a tax credit for donating unsold surplus farm products to charitable organizations. This three-year pilot program that began in 2017 is available to farms located in Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery county, Prince George’s County and St. Mary’s County. “This is a way for Maryland farmers to further help their communities and ensure their harvest does not go to waste,” said Governor Hogan. 

To claim the credit, farmers donate products to non-profit charitable organizations that are Certified Tax Credit Administrators. Farmers fill out a simple MDA Food Donation Pilot Program Form for each food donation and submit it to the non-profit. Non-profit food providers become Certified Tax Credit Administrators by completing and submitting the Application for Tax Credit Administrator Form to the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). Both forms can be found on the Maryland Department of Agriculture website (scroll down  right side of the page). 
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This is great opportunity to claim the tax credit during the pilot program. The program is due to expire December 31, 2019. State House Delegates Ebersole and Young recently introduced  HB 403 to extend the Farmer Tax Credit to all Maryland Counties through 2022.  Please share this tax credit opportunity with farmers and non-profit food providers. Contact Delegates Jay Walker  jay.walker@house.state.md.us and Anne Kaiser  anne.kaiser@house.state.md.us  with the form below to support  HB403. It is a win-win-win!
More info here

Farms to Feds: Local Farms Feed Fed Workers

1/28/2019

 
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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
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-Your Donations Keep the Ag Reserve Strong

A Prickly Melon, a Dream Fulfilled

12/19/2016

 
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MCA's Caroline Taylor with Farmer Tanya and kiwano.
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 Tanya Spanhla approached MCA back in 2014 to find land through our Land Link Program to grow some of the crops from Zimbabwe, her homeland. The following year she enrolled in the county's New Farmer Program - run by Montgomery County in partnership with MCA and the County's Ag Extension office. She started Passion to Seed farm on leased land in Germantown and aquired the expertise of the community through MCA's producers listserve when geese were ravaging her produce. She grows items that fellow immigrants have had trouble finding here (see her harvesting pumpkin leaves in this clip from MPTs Farm and Harvest show). 

For those who have never run across it - the most factinating of her crops is the Kiwano- or horned melon. Looking like a heavily defended cucumber with deep emerald coloring and dull spikes, Kiwano has excelent health benefits and a fresh, cucmber-like taste. If you'd like to try it now's your chance, MCA has connected Tanya with Rockville's Dawson's Market and they now stock it. Eat it raw out of the spiky rind or wow friends and family this holiday with the fancy cocktails below. 

Tanya's story is a perfect example of how we at MCA build support around a farm to help it not just survive, but thrive. Connecting farmers with farm land is the beginning - followed by fostering strong community and connection with fellow producers and consumers that help the farmer set down roots and prosper.  

It takes a lot for a farmer to grow a farm (I mean, geese? Who saw that coming?) but you have to grow farmers first- and have farmland available.
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Across Maryland, we lose an average of 20,000 acres of  farmland per year.  We will continue to build the resources that farmers need to thrive but we count on your suport to make it happen. Please make MCA part of of your end-of-year giving plan with your tax eductible donation. 

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Kiwano Cocktails 
Horned Melon Champage Cocktail served IN the prickly melon (perfect for New Years Eve)
Kiwano Margaritas
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Cheers From Your Friends at MCA!

MC Food Council Blogs Good Food: Olney Farm Market

6/14/2016

 
by Caroline Taylor
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A Little Farm Market Gem in Olney, MD
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Published by Montgomery County Food Council

The Common Ground Market  Second Sundays in Beallsville

6/8/2016

 
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"The Common Ground Market" opened on June 12. Market Wrap-Up Here. A great time was had by all, hoping you can come back again every Second Sunday through October. The market is looking for more vendors- apply here.

The Press Release announcing the market debut is here.

Montgomery County Park's has kindly agreed to host the market at Owen's Park in Beallsville.  The new market represents the joyful fact that the number of small, diversified and sustainable family farms are growing in the Reserve. A number of the farms are owned/operated by women who have come to the Reserve to employ their craft. And now they are coming together to share their work with you and in the Reserve so that consumers can shop and experience this remarkable place. Licensed food trucks will be there too as well as some cute critters for kids to enjoy!

Website: thecommongroundmarket.com

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Supporting local farms and local food is the core of MCA's mission. Support Montgomery's Ag Reserve Donate Here.

April Cold Snap and Area Fruit Orchards - Damage Still Being Assessed

4/19/2016

 
by Caroline Taylor
We've been salivating already for this season's cherries, peaches, plums, pears and apples. But Mother Nature... is in control.

Read More

CSA Spots Still Available - Who's Your Farmer? 

4/14/2016

 
by Kristina Bostick
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Read More

Buying and Exploring... Locally!

3/23/2015

 
by Caroline Taylor
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The Ag Reserve is a big place, about 100,000 acres, and there is much to explore.  We will populate this post with as much as we can, when we can.  Shoot us an email with suggested additions: info@mocoalliance.org. If you just aren't sure what the Reserve is all about and what it has to offer, may we suggest checking out our film Growing Legacy? Our goal to to inspire exploration and consumerism of the wonderful places and goods the Reserve has going on.
2015 Montgomery County Farm Directory

Producers Meeting Held: Zoning Code Changes for Ag- Opportunities and Guidance

2/20/2015

 
by Kristina Bostick
That Happened: Friday, February 27 at 10am - St. Paul Community Church, 14730 Sugarland Road, Poolesville

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Land Link Makes Another Match!

2/18/2015

 
by Kristina Bostick
Our Land Link program has achieved another match! We started Land Link to overcome what local farmers identified as the biggest hurdle to starting or expanding local farms- the astronomical cost of land- as explained by Woody Woodroof from Red Wiggler Community Farm in our "Growing Legacy" Film. 

​Click here to see our Land Link site and sign up to find or offer land for lease.

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Round Two:  MC's New Farmer Program

11/24/2014

 
by Caroline Taylor
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The Ag Reserve's promise grows with the success of new farm ventures.  Montgomery County's New Farm Program, now past the pilot point with a number of successful ventures launched, is ready for Round Two! The New Farmer Project provides mentoring and specialized business training like marketing, accounting, business planning and advanced sustainable farm practices. By matching new farmers with private land owners (with assistance from MCA's Land Link program) throughout the Agricultural Reserve, the program's participating farmers are singularly focused on growing their businesses instead of finding new real estate.


Read More

2014 Wrap Up

11/7/2014

 
by Kristina Bostick

What has MCA done for me lately? Well...

Our Shared Environmental Resources


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Supporting a Strong Ag Sector
Connecting New and Expanding Farmers with Land

​Strengthening the Producer Community with a  Listserve and Summits
Successfully Pushing for a New Farm Pilot Program
Proud Lead Organization of the Farming at Metro's Edge Conference
Supporting A proposed year-round daily farmers market in North Potomac 
Connecting farmers with new opportunities under the new County Zoning Code

Community
Producing "Growing Legacy"  film about the Reserve for students and the public
Creating an Ag Reserve Candidate Questionnaire/Voter Resource
Creating an Ag Education Pilot - 180 students reached so farHelping to Found the MoCo Food CouncilKeeping Monocacy Elementary Open

Zoning
No Commercial Recreation or Camps in the Ag Reserve
No Sewer Extension for Mega Churches
Battling Back Plans for Massive Cell Towers

Currently working on supporting new farm businesses and expansion of sourcing local farm products in County stores/restaurants.  We are pushing to add to our farmland inventory for the LandLink program.  Our education initiative has expanded and we are working with MC Farm Bureau to secure funding for mobile ag science lab for the use of the County's elementary schools.  How about that! Every elementary school student should have exposure to what farming is all about and why our Ag Reserve is so special.

​And the list goes on and on... help us add more victories to this list- join MCA - a yearly membership is just $25
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What's New from MC in the latest Ag Census?

10/3/2014

 
by Caroline Taylor
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Montgomery County Ag Services has posted the data from the 2012 Ag Census.  Looks like MC equine industry is flourishing.  What about the other ag businesses?  Check out the summary here.

In this chart comparing 2007 data to that of 2012 - Good News!  You will see an increase in land in production and the market value of products sold.
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With a resurgence of interest in farming and the burst of consumer interest in locally produced food products, the forecast is good for our area farms.

"Growing Legacy" Premiere Wrap-Up

9/30/2014

 
by Kristina Bostick

Growing Legacy Premiere
September 25, 2014
The Universities at Shady Grove


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ABOUT US
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ABOUT Ag RESERVE
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Montgomery Countryside Alliance
P.O Box 24, Poolesville, MD  20837
301-461-9831  •  ​info@mocoalliance.org
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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.
COPYRIGHT © MONTGOMERY COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE 2008