| Growing Fresh Vegetables in the Reserve! We are very pleased to introduce our readers to one of the newer farmers in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve - Courtney Buchholtz. Courtney is best known for her experience in using organic growing practices to raise a wide variety of fresh vegetables for her many loyal customers. |  |
She started farming in 2006, a career path that eventually led her to the Ag Reserve in 2013. Courtney is a graduate of the Montgomery County New Farmer Program and was matched with long term lease on local land through our Land Link program. Her produce is available through a CSA, the Silver Spring Farmers Market, and the Common Ground Market in Poolesville. You may also see her produce at Dawson’s Market in Rockville and the Common Market in Frederick.
Courtney is no stranger to the cold weather we have experienced this winter, as she is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. She majored in Animal Science, with a focus on Equine Business. Today, she farms about three acres in Poolesville, where she grows more than 20 types of fresh vegetables. These include carrots, beets, cucumbers, summer squash, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, arugula, radishes, kohlrabi, beans, potatoes, winter squash, garlic, onions, leeks and scallions. Yummm!!
Courtney credits a permaculture course she took in 2005 for inspiring her to pursue a career in farming. She particularly enjoys building relationships with her customers and working outdoors with the soil, where she can watch the cycles of life unfold routinely year after year. She also likes a good challenge and finds all she can handle each year in dealing with the many pests and diseases that find their way into her gardens. However, she best summed up her penchant for farming when she said, “I love the stillness of an early morning harvest just as the sun is starting to brighten the sky before the world around me awakens.”
Courtney is married to Jesse Kieffer, and they have a 9-month old son, Jackson. While he may not know it yet, Jackson is very much looking forward to working with his Mom in the gardens. With spring fast approaching, be sure to remember Courtney when you purchase your fresh vegetables this year.
Courtney credits a permaculture course she took in 2005 for inspiring her to pursue a career in farming. She particularly enjoys building relationships with her customers and working outdoors with the soil, where she can watch the cycles of life unfold routinely year after year. She also likes a good challenge and finds all she can handle each year in dealing with the many pests and diseases that find their way into her gardens. However, she best summed up her penchant for farming when she said, “I love the stillness of an early morning harvest just as the sun is starting to brighten the sky before the world around me awakens.”
Courtney is married to Jesse Kieffer, and they have a 9-month old son, Jackson. While he may not know it yet, Jackson is very much looking forward to working with his Mom in the gardens. With spring fast approaching, be sure to remember Courtney when you purchase your fresh vegetables this year.
