It is nothing less than the global challenge of our time. A slow motion disaster, caused and perpetuated each day by all of us - leaving each of us either feeling powerless in the face of its enormity or in denial of an inconvenient scientifically proved truth.  Our world is warming. 

Recently predictions have gotten more dire, more certain. There is now a timeline for serious impacts to be felt. Much like the adage about planting trees, the time to act was either 20 years ago - or now. 

Montgomery County's 93,000 acre Ag Reserve was envisioned at its creation in 1980 as a way to keep farms on the landscape and it has been successful, but it has also served as a "green lung" and water filter for the region, its forests sucking in Co2, its pervious surfaces allowing re-absorption of large rainfall events. But the County, the Reserve and MCA as its steward can (and must)  do more to combat our climate challenge and mitigate the coming impacts. 

The county  has made a climate change pledge for the county of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.  The county is also working toward Executive Leggett's goal of being a zero waste county - starting with recycling/composting 70% of materials by 2023. MCA is proud to serve on the county's Zero Waste Task Force.  In July 2019 the county convened a Climate Change Task Force of public and private experts, academics, students and more to create a comprehensive climate action plan. 

We are proud to have collaborated with the 38 other organizations making up the Stormwater Partners Network on the Clean Water Blueprint - to be addressed by the Elrich administration. The document lays out how we protect water across the country going forward and provides metrics for gauging success. Among the recommendations are several Ag Reserve specific provisions that MCA will help to implement including: 

~Educational outreach for well and septic owners 
~Establishing science based impervious limits in the Reserve to protect the Sole Source Aquifer and stream quality 
~Advance programs for regenerative agriculture

At MCA, our mission is to protect the farms and open spaces of the Ag Reserve but we all have a role to play in the challenges ahead. We can choose grim disaffection, denial or action.  Help us position the Ag Reserve as a climate change mitigation tool for our county and region. We would be honored by your tax-deductible gift. Thank You! 

 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 over the years to re-forest 32 acres of stream buffers in county parks. But we think we can do more, much more. In the first year we have identified over 80 acres and planted 700 trees in stream corridors. We've also brought students and volunteers into the process. To host trees or get involved learn more here.  

We are so proud of the success of our Land Link program - over 400 acres of land  matched with new and expanding farmers since 2011. There are a number of farmers we have linked that have come from farming backgrounds in other countries. These immigrants enrich the food system with their ways of farming and crops that are new to stateside eaters.
We are so honored that the success of the Land Link program and the farmers and landowners that make these connections can be profiled in this piece. 

It should be said that there are as many land lease types as there are matches in the Land Link program and a $1 lease is not typical. To learn more about searching for land or a farmer through our Land Link program, please visit the site. 

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. 

We spend a lot of time here at MCA doing the work - writing the testimony on land use issues, matching farmers with land, planting trees, educating students and hosting events. We don't always find the time to document what we are up to. Thankfully, our activities have been documented in videos and on the page, check out the following media about our 2019 efforts. 

Montgomery Week in Review- Caroline Taylor introduces Re-Leaf the Reserve

3rd graders helping us mulch our new 1.5 acre Re-Leaf the Reserve planting 

Ride for the Reserve - My MCMedia video:

Meet Dodo Farms - a farm that found land through our Land Link program

We are one of 4 Montgomery Magazine featured charities for their December/January Charity Issue. Read the profile here

Conservation Montgomery honored our Executive Director Caroline Taylor with the Joe Howard Conservation Award.

Land Link Montgomery is MCA's program to connect aspiring and expanding farmers with landowners offering long term leases. The program has matched over 400 acres in the County and continues to accept both landowners and farmers. Visit the Land Link site to learn more.
​We usually get to see the match between farmer and landowner start over email but it is really gratifying to see the result of a match in crops planted and fresh produce at markets. There have been two recent profiles of local Land Link success stories - both now a few seasons in and having achieved the Certified Naturally Grown designation. 

We received a joyful piece of correspondence the other day from Land Link farmer Olaniyi of Dodo Farms. We matched him with an acre some time back and he got in touch with an update and a documentary from the County of the thriving farm on his one acre.  ​

I​ will like to thank you so much for matching us with Dorothy.
I am delighted to tell you that not only have we had the most amazing experience with Dorothy and her family, the county just released a documentary about our farm. We mentioned you in the documentary and your site was featured too.
You changed our lives, you made something that seemed unachievable, easy.
Thank you so much.

Another profile - this time in print- of another Land Link success story was in the harvest issue of PLENTY magazine - the fledgling publication devoted solely to covering the Upcounty and Ag Reserve. Read the article about farmer Tanya here.  Tanya's Passion to Seed Farm is growing both native staples and crops, like Kiwano (Horned Melon) from her native Zimbabwe. 

​Fall Re-Leaf the Reserve planting is underway! 
First of 3 sites being planted by our contractor Gardens by Garth on 1.5 acres of upland ground near Barnesville. Mixed native deciduous and evergreen trees from Schott Nursery are good sized 5-7 feet and will have 6 months to establish root systems before summer’s heat kicks in.

The property owner seeks to slow stormwater, provide habitat and wind break, and sequester carbon.  Further great news: The Reserve farm will also host a new farmer who moved from Massachusetts to produce regeneratively grown table crops.

3rd graders from a MC school learned about the value of trees and how getting messy in soil is both fun and good for you. JOY!

Caroline Taylor is a leading advocate for Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve. 

Conservation Montgomery is recognizing Caroline as a tireless educator and powerful advocate for farmers and communities in and around our Agricultural Reserve.  With climate change now a high priority on our local agenda, we are recognizing Caroline as a key ally who works every day to protect farms, forests, and park lands in Montgomery County. 

 Here at MCA we know her to be the driving force behind many of our most successful initiatives: Re-Leaf the Reserve, Land Link, the Producers Listserve and many more along with her more informal bringing together of community stakeholders. Where others see challenges she sees opportunity and cheerfully marshalls local resources to solve problems. Her hand at the tiller has given the organization both its tenacity and heart.
 
Our shortened mission statement at MCA is "we connect" Caroline is the glue that brings voices into the conservation and stakeholders around the table to protect farms in Montgomery County. 
​
​See a wrap up of the event here

It was a chilly start but a gorgeous day to Ride for the Reserve - perfectly expressed by this county video:

It took a whole lot of hands to make it happen and we want to thank everyone - starting with the support of our Riders! There will be an after-ride survey sent to each rider so you can let us know how we can improve next year. We thank our pal David Ris who took a ton of great photos right here. And there are more from rider Peter Klosky on our Facebook. Please share your photos with us either on social media (tag @mocoalliance on all platforms) or by email - info@mocoalliance.org

Thanks To...

Our SAG Support team, our Route Leaders and all our volunteers who made our rest stops, registration and picnic run smoothly!
​
Our stops - Barnesville School, RB Savage and Sons Farm Market, Linden Barn (thanks to SCA!), Farmer Anne and her volunteers at Stargazing Farm and Anne Davies at Stonefields. 

Our sponsors Heritage Montgomery, Laren Rusin, PT (who shared some great pre-ride stretches here) and the County's Upcounty Regional Office, our friends at Bike Dr Frederick. 
Our thanks for the grub to Panera, and Harvest Plates and Pints of Gaithersburg, thanks to Kingsbury's Orchard for the venue and cider also Wegmans and Costco. And thanks to Peace Run for the music!

Lastly,  a big big thanks to our ride chair Lili Leonard-the definition of perseverance as she pulled of a great ride despite a very broken ankle - thank you!

Caroline Taylor, Executive Director of MCA

We face tremendous challenges, locally and globally, with climate crisis posing the existential threat of our time. This reality must be met collaboratively, creatively, and aggressively. There is not a minute to waste to get it together… to get all of us together. Voice was given to this imperative at recent launch of the County’s Climate Change Planning initiative. County Executive Marc Elrich took heart that over 100 citizens with a wide range of professional and civic acumen had submitted applications to serve on the technical work groups. Councilmember Tom Hucker’s words resonated, “We need to unleash the power of expertise of our residents. We are lucky to have a smart talented pool to advise us as to how we will tackle this emergency together.” These are good words. But are we poised to do that?

​When Montgomery County rises to this ultimatum, we will have a model to use to address myriad other crucial local issues, the solutions of which will benefit from meaningful public participation. With that inspiration, and some of my own recent experiences in mind, I thought to explore the current state of public participation in Montgomery County to see how it plays out day to day at the local level. I reached out to folks, making time for calls and meetings fully expecting that few would have time or the inclination. I was wrong. Stories and sentiments were freely offered from residents in Wheaton, Damascus, Silver Spring, Poolesville, Bethesda, Clarksburg, Boyds, and beyond. The responses were both sobering and instructive. 

​And here’s what happened with my recent foray into local government decision -making:

This experience is apparently not unique as evidenced by other disquieting remarks leveled at local government of not being heard, of giving up, of feeling that there was no seat at the table for residents to have meaningful exchanges. One resident said, “It can take years of showing up and paying attention to be able to truly follow and be part of the system.” Another remarked, “I occasionally participate, and feel I am listened to at the time. Then the authorities go ahead and do whatever they want. So why participate?” “If you are not a member of the party in power, they won’t listen to you.” And this sentiment was shared by several: “Why have hearings to develop zoning and conditions on land uses and little or no real enforcement?” Importantly, the criticism was more broadly aimed as well: “We have issues that are a reflection of what is going on nationally with name calling, polarization, coarse dialogue.”

​​Folks obviously have been thinking about what could be done to improve public participation with and trust in local governance…

​Direct democracy through public participation promotes accountability and greater understanding. It builds a foundation of trust.  Citizen's input helps to enhance public policy by sparking innovation and improving responsiveness to community needs. When the public is disregarded or thwarted in their effort to participate meaningfully in local governance they feel disempowered, deflated, defeated and many may withdraw.  While this sense of fatigue and near surrender was conveyed by a number of those I spoke to, an equal number were eager to improve things. For those in the community, the message here is one of solidarity and an invitation to feel empowered to take part in this most important aspect of our democracy. For our local government leaders, both elected and staff – please take this message as intended – A Call to Action with a sincere belief that all of our needs will be more easily met through non-adversarial collaboration. Let’s get down to it together.

"The consideration of alternate sites for two of the planned towers in no way jeopardizes the public safety system today." - County Exec Marc Elrich from a statement released 6/20/19

Photo: Dolores Milmoe
THIS JUST IN:

The Montgomery County Council has been advised by staff that there is only one person who is complaining about the proposed 230 foot radio tower at Bretton Woods Country Club. The Council Public Safety Committee will be briefed this Tuesday in a closed door meeting. The briefing packet states on page 5:

“It is staff’s understanding that only one person complained about this site.”

And this is precisely why the Reserve gets short shrift and unwanted land uses... because they simply wave a hand and say no one cares.

So let's write in and let them know we do care and we are the ONE. (enter your return address and click "start writing" to send an email below.) 
​

BACKGROUND

Affected area: Southern gateway to the Agricultural Reserve at River Road near Riley's Lock near Darnestown and Poolesville

In 2017, without proper public process, including coordination with area stakeholders, MC Department of Technical Services picked a spot to construct a 230’ radio tower that will serve as part of the County’s emergency services radio system. The location on River Road, in a State designated Heritage Area, at the southern gateway to the Agricultural Reserve is highly visible. Due to the tower height at that spot, it will require strobing red and white lights. As soon as discovered, stakeholders met with County Executive Ike Leggett in early 2018. He agreed that the site was problematic and asked that alternative sites be identified. And despite having stakeholder timely supplied potential feasible locations, County staff apparently pressed forward with the original site and now is demanding that the County Council facilitate building immediately. Contrary to what the County Council has been told, the County executive and staff have heard from numerous residents, adjacent neighbors, community, and historic preservation groups asking to place the tower in a less prominent location.

Barnesville Oaks Hearing Wrap up - you can watch the hearing above.  
Summary: Board did not grant the applicant’s Request... they did not deny it either.
A warning - this all gets complex:
First, a huge thanks to the over 385 folks that wrote in on this issue. Truly a remarkable response and an indication of how much people care about the Reserve and the integrity of our prime farmland and public trust in local government. Bravo!
Second big thanks to Peter Gimbrere, Kerri Cook on behalf of the town of Poolesville, Dolores Milmoe, Marie Shepard, The League of Women Voters, and Ginny Barnes for their strong in person testimony.
Hooray for Barnesville and Poolesville (both wrote in)- the municipalities that treasure the Reserve!

The hearing can best be described as a waaay down county board and staff wrestling largely ineffectively (and/or disinterested) with up county/Reserve issues. Board and some staff folks seemed confused over key points. Some Staff had key facts incorrect.
​
But both Chair Anderson and board member Patterson voiced strong concern about approving this request wo knowing what the applicant is proposing to do.... “it’s a wild card,” said Tina Patterson. 
In the end the Board asked the applicant, clearly now stated as Duffy builders, to bring their pre-preliminary plan for subdivision and at that time the board will review the particulars. Be clear: the board stated that the provision of ZTA 17-06 which allows for farm labor housing in the Reserve without needing a development right (TDR) would be applied uniformly and therefore to this property. So the applicant frees up 2 TDRs. Would these be buildable on the farm remainders, effectively undermining the protection of the prime farm remainders? Or would the Duffy folks be able to sell the TDR’s? That would be the subject of future debate.
Chair Anderson and Planning Director Gwen Wright indicated that staff will address the important issues we raised with the developer and land seller placed covenants that limit farming on all 3 of the subdivided parcels as well as non- conformance with hard fought condition requiring public access/maintenance of the public use trail.

Read on for the original post on this issue. 

A recognition shared by our sponsors, donors and partners. THANK YOU!

We are so proud to be selected once again for inclusion in the Catalogue for Philanthropy of Greater Washington. Nonprofits chosen for this honor have undergone a rigorous review process conducted by a team of 150+ local experts. These professionals look for organizations that are making a big impact while being effective and transparent stewards of donor funds. Being featured in the Catalogue for a third time is also a recognition of the importance of local farm and water supply protection - along with our impactful work in this effort. MCA is one of only 7 environmental nonprofits honored and we are far smaller than the average organization. It is the support of our donors and partners that lets us stay on the job and tenaciously punch above our weight in protection of local farms, open space and our water supply. See the video below for information about the nonprofits selected. 

Where to Next? 
Re-Leaf the Reserve: Reforesting the Ag Reserve to combat Climate Change
Our Ag Education Program grows the next generation of Ag Stewards
Upcoming Events

Cheers to all that attended the Re-Leaf the Reserve Program Launch. With a backdrop of 200 trees on Re-Leaf's first acre along the Little Monocacy, Gwen Wright from Montgomery County Planning heralded the "beginning of a beautiful relationship" - recognizing MCA and her own staff members for taking the program from an idea to trees in the ground in just a few months, cutting through the paperwork to work at the speed befitting the warming climate we face. 

But- this is just the beginning. While one acre planted is the equivalent of taking 17 cars off the road, we have much bigger goals. MCA has identified 80 acres of stream-adjacent land in need of similar reforestation.  You can be part of this program! Sign up to host trees or help with planting here.  Downcounty residents can take advantage of programs to reforest their properties too. 

Amy Seely was there to represent Gardens by Garth who ably planted the trees. 
President of the Town of Poolesville Commissioners Jerry Kolbukowski and planning staff members Robert Kronenberg and Mark Pfefferle were also in attendence. Thanks to all that were there to witness the start of a new forest!

Our ED Caroline Taylor gives the 6 minute explanation of Re-Leaf the Reserve on My MC Media's Week in Review.

Where to next? 
How the Reserve can Fight Climate Change
​Poolesville High School Visits Local Farms

High schoolers to farms on a perfect spring day. Brilliant! 
What connections and understanding of well-produced food and fiber can be fostered through meeting producers and seeing their craft first hand? PLENTY! Huge thanks to our education program director Joyce Bailey, of Shepherd's Hey Farm, Greg Glenn of Rocklands Farm Winery, and MCA's president Gene Kingsbury, 5th gen owner-operator of Kingsbury's Orchard. 

Thanks to all that were able to join us for the this session: see the wrap up here. 

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

 How about zero? Montgomery County is joining some other metro regions that have already pledged to move toward zero waste. It starts with getting the data and brainstorming and researching ideas. The recently released Solid Waste Plan notes that Montgomery County currently has a 55% recycle rate and  projects to be at 70% by 2023.
To that end, we are happy to serve on the County's Zero Waste Task Force in  partnership with other local leaders.   The work to be done here dovetails with the on farm composting plans we helped guide with the County earlier this year.​ There is also a push to close the "waste-to-energy" facility in Dickerson that is long past it's planned life and a safety concern given the Covanta fire last year. MCA's board received a presentation from Mike Ewall of The Energy Justice Network about how all the promotion of incineration as a "clean and green" option for non-recyclable waste is not accurate and hides some very toxic byproducts.  Landfills of course are not much better- it's time to reduce our waste at its source as there are currently no good options for these non-recyclable materials. 

Part of implementing any bold plan is getting feedback as you go to make course corrections. To that end, we want to hear from you on how our waste disposal systems are currently working and what your household would be willing to do to reach the zero waste goal.  

 What’s old is new again and the economics are promising!
Hemp can now be cultivated under certain conditions in Maryland thanks to this year’s legislation now signed into law by Governor Hogan. Big thanks to Delegate David Fraser Hidalgo and his team for their tireless work in seeing this through.
 
Why hemp production in Maryland?

• Hemp is good for the environment: Hemp requires little to no fertilizers or pesticides, improves soil health, reduces farm runoff that can pollute our waterways, and supports biodiversity.
• Hemp is good for farmers: Hemp is a fast-growing crop that performs well in our climate and can open up new markets for farmers. It also helps build nutrients in the soil so farmers need fewer fertilizers or other costly additives.
• Hemp is good for Maryland: Hemp production can bring new jobs to the state to grow and process the crop and manufacture it into goods, including textiles, construction materials, food, health and beauty products.

 
Farmers and businesses have been quickly getting up to speed on how best to proceed in Maryland. The question of start up costs has rightly been raised especially with regard to equipment. MC producer Joe Orlow offers, “The specialized machinery can be perhaps be obtained and shared by forming a co-operative of hemp farmers. The labor intensive nature does not have to be a downside. As example, Growing Warriors  under Mike Lewis has found employment for veterans.” 

Pending Federal Legislation is co-sponsored by 1/3rd of the Senate and a recent resolution touting its potential benefits just passed this month.

More - economic and environmental benefits:
 
Forbes : A win for Industry and environment
 
The Guardian: The Plant that Could Boost America's Economy

​Our Previous Post on Hemp

There was a productive stakeholder meeting in May 2018 at the MC Farm Bureau. To learn more drop us a line info@mocoalliance.org

​Update - May 1 

The Council is still working on the details of the County's Ten Year Water and Sewer Plan. They are making sure that home owners with septic systems in rural residential areas have all the tools needed should they experience or clearly be at risk of septic failure. Important stuff.

Council will take this up again in June. Stay tuned...

​Montgomery County's Ag Reserve, comprised of nearly 106,000 acres, is one-third of the County's land mass and provides local  food/fiber, environmental and economic benefits for our region.  No surprise then, that voters are interested to hear what both incumbents and seat seekers have to say about their vision for and thoughts about this special place.
Much like in the 2014 election, MCA has again put 9 questions about the Reserve, land use, farming, water quality and transportation to the many candidates vying to represent Montgomery County at the local and state level. As a 501c3 nonprofit - MCA can not endorse but we seek to provide information on where the candidates stand. 
Below are the unedited questionnaires received from each candidate who returned them by the deadline, we are grateful to those who took the time in the busy election season. Check your voting status and find your sample ballot with all candidates here. 
​

​County Executive
Roger Berliner
​David Blair
Marc Elrich
Robin Ficker
George Leventhal