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. 

Linden Barn in Dickerson was bustling June 15 as residents from both Frederick and Montgomery County gathered to discuss the current development of data centers in Frederick County, and the potential for data center and other facilities construction on the over 700 acre former PEPCO property in Dickerson ( View maps and  slides from the presentation ).

Also Steve Black shared the excellent news of SA’s recent court victory in their quest for document release relating to Frederick County’s process in developing the draft Sugarloaf Area master plan. 
The Article reads in part: 
"The Sugarloaf Alliance filed a lawsuit against Frederick County in June 2022, alleging that the county violated the Maryland Public Information Act by failing to disclose requested records in the 30-day period required by law. The group's two public records requests, both filed in October 2021, asked that the county disclose any records that would reveal information about the development of the Sugarloaf Area Plan."

Other Press: 

• ​More Public Records reveal details of Amazon's failed data center plans  Frederick News Post
• Data centers may be nearing tipping point in Northern Virginia - Bay Journal
  
• Released records: Amazon had hand in drafting data center zoning policy Frederick News Post
• Developers (QLoop) Looking to Turn Frederick Farmland into Huge Data Center - Bore Under Potomac in 3 Places (MCA Blog)
• David Trone meets with Qloop officials as company’s construction remains on hold

Reads in part:

Asked if the economic incentives that Quantum Loophole officials value should be contingent on environmental compliance, which the company has lacked recently, Trone said Quantum Loophole’s commitment to the environment and transparency have been impressive, and in business, there will always be setbacks, referencing his own business career.
“ … [Y]ou can’t let those outliers and those bumps in the road dissuade you on what’s the most important goal, and that’s our children and their children in education,” Trone said. “It’s about taxing companies, not taxing people…”

The robust follow up discussion reflected the deep desire of residents to ensure that data center development be properly regulated to safeguard health, safety, and quality of life for nearby communities and natural resources. Moreover, it was noted that both counties and Maryland have set clear goals relating to climate change mitigation and resilience necessitating great care in siting, scale, etc. Mobilize Frederick  has sent a good parcel of draft regulations to the Frederick County Executive  - including provisions to safeguard wells and river water from these notoriously water-hungry land uses. 
All three nonprofits pledged to work diligently to protect public interest as these, and potentially other projects, are proposed in both counties. SCA and MCA have been told by Terra Energy reps that detailed proposed plans for the Dickerson site will be shared after July 4. Stay tuned…
Make sure to sign up for the organizations’ newsletters for updates.

What: Update on and discussion of two large-scale development projects underway or proposed in the Ag Reserve and southern Frederick County
Why: Both projects raise concerning land-use and environmental-impact questions
Where: The Gothic Barn at Linden Farm, 20900 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, MD
Who: Montgomery Countryside Alliance, Sugarloaf Citizens Association and Sugarloaf Alliance  

Details: One project is located on 740 acres at the site of the Dickerson power plant. The other involves construction of a 43-mile fiber-optic cable loop under the Potomac River in two places. The project will connect data centers in Virginia with those being planned near Adamstown in Frederick County. The new owners of the Dickerson power plant property are also interested in building a data center on that site. The fiber-optic cable already runs through their property. They have proposed a large-scale solar power installation as well, possibly built on Ag Reserve land and thus requiring rezoning.

Background:
This issue is tied up with the Sugarloaf Treasured Master Plan where proposed development of data centers on farmland has become a serious issue. Northern Virginia has been the site of many already completed data center projects. Residents and civic organizations have decried the farmland being lost to this use and also the huge amount of water needed to keep the computer equipment cool and functional. The site in Frederick County is linking to these Northern VA centers with fiber optic cable under the Potomac. Much more on how this impacts Frederick and Northern MoCo here. 

Sugarloaf Alliance has asked us to inform you of two urgent threats to regional clean water related to activity at the Quantum Loophole (QL) site in Adamstown (Eastalco):

1. Active and urgent, Dumping Contaminated Water into Tuscarora Creek:14000 gallons of toxic liquid from the QL site are being discharged daily into Tuscarora Creek, flowing to the Potomac River in South Frederick County; 
2. Horizontal Directional Drilling and Destruction in Sensitive Wetlands: In August, 2022 QL commenced construction activities in the floodplain at the Monocacy river without approval. Multiple violations identified led Frederick County to issue a stop-work order. QL now requests a special exception from Frederick Board of Zoning Appeals to resume activity within the floodplains.
   Much more on their site here. 
   

Related: Frederick County Court Ordered to Release Documents on Sugarloaf Plan proposed developer carveouts - previously hidden citing "client privilege" Sugarloaf Alliance Press Release

Congratulations to Montgomery County's new Planning Board Artie Harris (l) and new member Josh Linden (r). We look forward to working with the newly formed planning board toward vibrant farms and a protected environment in Montgomery County!

Press: 
MoCo360
Montgomery Planning Press Release
​WaPo: "Artie Harris Picked to Lead Overhauled Montgomery County Planning Board" 

Governor Moore just signed a new Community Solar law that would make the "pilot" Community Solar program permanent (good explainer here).  Community Solar is when a large array is installed (could be rooftop or ground mounted) and customers of the same power utility subscribe to purchase the power created by that array. Some projects are specifically meant to supply power to low income residents. With this new law and more capacity for these project opening in local power companies, farmers may be wondering what this means for siting large solar arrays on local farms. Much more on types of solar installations here.

Our 3rd webinar in the solar series (info for businesses and households here) took place place on June 22 at 7pm on Zoom. 
Our thanks to  our partners at the MoCo Green Bank and Office of Agriculture plus solar supplier Aurora Energy.

Slides Shared: 
MCA Considerations for Solar on Farms
Green Bank Slides
​Aurora Energy Slides
FAQs for On-Farm Solar from the Office of Ag

Some years ago MCA led a coalition of over 60 state and local civic organizations that successfully advocated for siting solar carefully in Montgomery County's Ag Reserve.  Since then we have joined with our partners at the Montgomery County Green Bank and the County Office of Agriculture to guide local businesses, residents and farmers on the solar installation process.  See our solar resources page here. 

Update: 4/21/23: 
On this brilliant Spring morning, fitting to remind about the practical benefits of the County’s Rustic Roads preservation program. Today we highlight road user safety: our more narrow and winding rustic roads - lined with vegetation cause most motorists to ease off the gas a bit making for safer passage for all kinds. Posted Speed limits are 25-30.
Farm equipment fares better where speeds and traffic volume are lower. (Studies aplenty)
PS - be respectful of the farmers moving their equipment this planting season, thanks!

The Rustic Road Master Plan is having its first update since the inception of the program. 
A public hearing on the planning draft of the update took place on 4/18. we understand the Transportation and Envionment Committee will take the matter up next. 

Take a minute to share your Rustic Road appreciation with Council by 4/25

Press and Testimony:
Great article from PLENTY about the importance of Rustic Roads
​Rustic Roads Advisory Committee Testimony
Dr. Royce Hanson's Testimony ​

For those of you with affection for our County’s wonderful rustic roads- take a little time to hear from those giving voice to the benefits of the program and continued stewardship of these byways. 
(MCA’s testimony begins at approximately 6:07:00 - but hear others strong testimony as well.)

The record will remain open until December 9 for folks to write in to support the program and important Rustic Roads Advisory Committee recommendations (testimony here.)

​Details (thank you Leslie Saville):

WHO: You, your friends and neighbors, residents, visitors, groups (civic, historic, environmental, recreational), farmers, farm market and CSA operators, vintners and brewers, artists, visitors, cyclists, equestrians, hikers, businesses--anyone and everyone who loves and uses our rustic roads. 


WHAT: Please tell the Planning Board how your road (or your favorite road) is special to you. Your testimony doesn't need to be long, but if it's personal and heartfelt, it will be powerful.  

Ideas you might include: These roads are historic and unique, as are the bridges, structures and landscapes along them. They are narrow, slow, and safe, leading to places of wonder--to views of Sugarloaf Mountain, to historic communities, both Black and White, past a one-room schoolhouse, a favorite barn or a row of 100-year old cedar trees. 

Your testimony would be especially helpful if it highlights how valuable and irreplaceable these historic, scenic roads continue to be, that they are integral to our working landscapes, rural areas and villages, and the functioning of the Agricultural Reserve. They strengthen our rural businesses including our farms, markets, orchards, stables, wineries, breweries and art studios along them. These roads are safely shared by all users, and their narrow pavements protect the water quality in our streams and reservoirs. Heritage tourism along these roads is an enormous economic asset for our rural economy. 

Love your own road! Please name your road (or roads). Include a stunning photo or two! Check your road description in the master plan and point out something specific you support. Examples--a new designation, a historic or one-lane bridge that's a Significant Feature of your road, a history write up that highlights things you might not know or that you hope others might learn, or historic sites, views or champion trees shown on the new map of your road. 

Send email to:

[email protected]


BCC:  [email protected]



Thanks for your support of our Rustic Roads!

Late breaking good news from Frederick County: Outgoing County Executive Jan Gardner has just announced that Frederick County will institute a Rustic Roads Program to protect 80 miles of roads that were identified in the 20 year old Rural Roads program with an "exceptionally rustic" designation and adds 287 miles of "candidate roads" that will be studied for inclusion in the program. 

Executive Gardner: "We know that preservation is crucial to maintaining our community’s unique characteristics,” Executive Gardner said. “By launching this Rustic Roads Program, we can preserve Frederick County’s rustic roads in their natural and historic settings so future generations can understand and appreciate our rich agricultural history.” 
Video of the proclamation here and County press release here. 

Frederick's push for more protection for rural roads makes a strong case for continued protection for those same roads as they cross the border into MoCo's rural lands. 

​To the field we go with bright and engaged high schoolers… Learning about wildlife biodiversity, sound land use planning, environmental stewardship, the importance of a strong local food system, protecting water resources and how to view the world through the lens of opportunity and optimism.
Cheers to our speakers: Jen Scully, Dr. Royce Hanson, and Diane Cameron!
​Our thanks to Black Hill Nature Center, Montgomery Parks and Friends of Ten Mile Creek and Little Seneca Reservoir

• More Heritage Montgomery Videos 
  
• ​The Story of the Sugarland Freeman's community outside Poolesville - "I Have Started For Canaan"

Everybody eats and very few of us are able to do this three times a day without depending on an ever-dwindling number of farmers growing on ever decreasing farm acreage.

Nationally, and in Maryland, the average age of our farmers is just over 59. The nation lost more than 100,000 farms between 2011 and 2018. And though we are fortunate to have family run farms in Montgomery County that will be passed along to the next generation, these do not number nearly enough to address the growing need for local food production.

Moreover, we must provide equitable access to land and resources for skilled diverse new farm businesses. The Agricultural Reserve, at over 90,000 acres, has plenty of room for more farms, and we will all thrive with greater inclusiveness.  At MCA, we've been successfully matching farmers with landowners through our Land Link program since 2011 but farmer demand for land far outstrips supply.  ​

Last June a group of diverse producers, all growing in Montgomery County, met at Dodo Farms in Brookeville with Councilmember Gabe Albornoz to share concerns about the difficulties new farm businesses encounter. Uplifting news of the growing diversity of local producers and products, especially culturally relevant crops, was tempered by the universal frustration about the myriad barriers to getting started.  As we seek to grow the next generation of local farmers  there is not a moment or a famer to waste.

It is time for an Montgomery County Farm Incubator - Learn More and Join Us 

Have a resource to add? - [email protected]  - our thanks to Allison Millman for her work on the guide, our partners at Office of Ag and the county's past, current and future BIPOC producers. 

Press: 
WTOP
Bethesda Beat

What if there were a class of pesticide that in study after study was linked with dramatic die-off of birds and other pollinators as well as systemic impacts in the ecosystem.

The data is in on a class of pesticides called Nicotinoids detailing their pervasive harm to 100 million acres in the US each year - what has not been extensively studied is whether these pesticides actually are even effective for their intended use. All the irrevocable harm - where is the benefit?

MCA is proud to join Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the American Bird Conservancy along with many other organizations to urge the EPA to to discard a 1984 regulatory waiver that allowed companies to register pesticides without first submitting “efficacy” data showing that the product actually provides claimed benefits. Instead of requiring data on the costs versus the benefits of a pesticide application, the Reagan-era EPA simply formally declared: “rather than require efficacy data the Agency presumes that benefits exceed risks”.

Press from Environmental Health News
​
Press Release and Petition here

​Together we are growing the next generation of farmers who are in turn growing a stronger food system. Here is a direct way to invest in viable farms and hunger relief efforts in Montgomery County. ​

The application will remain open until March 24 2023. Learn More and Apply Here. 

Candlelight Concert Featuring Desiree Jordan
February 11th, 7:00 pm from the Sandy Spring Slave Museum
Come with your "boo" or meet your future "boo" at an intimate candlelight concert featuring local artist Desiree Jordan. Ticketed.

Unshakable: The Rise of Newmantown at the Agricultural History Farm Park
Every Friday and Saturday in February 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
The exhibit “Unshakable” explores the history of Albert and Mary Newman, freedmen who emigrated in 1862 from Virginia to Montgomery County, Md., and became landowning farmers despite unprecedented circumstances. Albert and Mary Newman, and their children, built a thriving African American kinship community known as “Newmantown,” located on the grounds of the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. The exhibit showcases photographs, documents, family mementos, local history, and rarely seen artifacts excavated from the site. Free.

Timothy Hodges Presents Captain Robert Smalls
February 12th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum
Smalls’ daring escape from slavery using a Confederate ship that he commandeered captivated the nation and inspired many in the Union to push for Emancipation. Smalls’ ability to pilot a Confederate naval vessel through the harbor defenses of Charleston, SC in may 1862 helped to convince President Lincoln and others that African Americans should be given the opportunity to fight with Union forces. Smalls would go on to command Union naval vessels during the Civil War and become an influential U.S. Congressman. Ticketed.

Five for Freedom: The African American Soldiers in John Brown’s Army
February 14th, 2:00 pm Virtual Event from Montgomery History
More than 163 years later, John Brown's October 1859 ill-fated raid on Harpers Ferry to seize its federal arsenal and incite a slave rebellion is well known. Less known are the stories of five African Americans who joined with him. Their sacrifice continues to resonate, as the legacy of slavery, America's original sin, remains. Author Eugene L. Meyer tells us of the world in which they were born, lived and died, and of the aftermath, as the struggle for racial justice and equality rages on in 2023. Free.

History Happy Hour: Martin Luther King’s Vision of Democracy
February 17th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm from the Sandy Spring Museum
Racial integration and interracial harmony were important, but structural inequality formed the root and branch of a broken America. Dr. Quincy Mills, historian at the University of Maryland, College Park, will discuss King’s ideas on the importance of economic security in American democracy. The problems, in fact, rested with the core beliefs in liberal democracy, which King believed needed to be restructured to arrive at any sense of humanity. To learn more about the museum click here. Ticketed.
 
Black History: A Living Resistance in Dance & Music
February 18th, 1:00 pm at the Aspen Hill Library from the Sandy Spring Slave Museum
Experience how dance and movement from the African and African-American perspectives lift the spirits of youth and marginalized communities. Join us for fun social dances with drumming after the dance demonstrations for all ages. Free.

Jim Crow on Street Cars
February 18th, 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the National Capital Trolley Museum
Join us in the museum auditorium for a discussion, led by Eric Madison, on the origins of segregation on streetcars beginning in the 19th century and the attempts made nationwide to challenge both the custom and later the codification of "separate but equal" practices. This program is included with regular museum admission. To learn more about the museum click here. Free.

Black History Month Family Day
February 18th, 1:00 pm at the Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
Bring the whole family for a self-guided exploration of Montgomery County’s Black history at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Drop by the Visitor Center to pick up take-home activities (for ages 5-12) and trail maps to explore the Underground Railroad Experience Trail on their own. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and get exercise as a family. Free.
 
When the Stars Align: Celestial Navigation and the Underground Railroad
February 25th, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park
Learn about the crucial role of the night sky in guiding and empowering freedom seekers in their perilous journeys north along the Underground Railroad. Guest speakers: historian Sylvea Hollis, astronomer Lou Strolger and Sophie Hess. Free.

Annual Gospel Train Ride to Freedom Concert: Reflections of Historical Roots
February 25th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm from the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation
Continue the historical journey through the annual “Gospel Train Ride to Freedom Concert: Reflections of Historical Roots!” and to celebrate the 46th Anniversary of the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and the only Black Research Center in Montgomery County, the Leroy E. Neal African American Research Center. We will travel the historical roots through spiritual uplifting, songs and praises, and performances conducted by individuals, gospel and combined choirs, and artists across the state. Reserve Your Seat by February 15, 2023. Contact [email protected] to RSVP Ticketed.

From our partners at Reforest Montgomery- a deep dive into what the Forest Conservation Law means on the landscape:

What can a reasonable person do?
From a study at Duke of the most effective water filters, “Home filters are really only a stopgap. The real goal should be control of PFAS contaminants at their source.” PFAS are already everywhere but many of them bio-accumulate, meaning reducing further exposure can mitigate health impacts. Track PFAS contamination with this interactive map from Environmental Working Group. It is important to note that these substances are widespread, toxic and largely un or under regulated - leaving the consumer to invest in their own protection. When the level of protection is based on what solutions a household can afford, this becomes an environmental justice issue. 

Your Water: 
- Check to see if your drinking water source has been tested for PFAS; if not, consider collecting tap samples and sending them for testing to My Tap Score. Given the relatively reasonable costs, consider ordering both the advanced water test  AND the PFAS test.
-Duke and NC State compared a number of water filters for their ability to filter out PFAS. This was one that fared well in testing.  

Your Home: 
-Ditch any teflon or other non-stick cookware
-Use the Environmental Working Group Database to find personal care items that have been found to be safer. Start with your floss.
​-Achievable steps from the EPA
​
​

Hundreds showed up in the final days of 2022 to rally for White's Ferry to re-open - 2 years after it closed. Rally organizers estimate that 9 million extra miles have been driven as the result of the ferry's extended closure. 

Good noise made. Now… action.

This centuries old and much relied upon transportation corridor must be reopened to the public. Maryland should explore legal options. There was long term, open use of the VA side landing… establishing a public right of way to a public road.

Press: 
Rally Organizers Guest Column in Montgomery Perspective
MyMC Media
Loudoun Now
​WaPo Cover's last year's anniversary of the closure

 Two wells in Poolesville have tested positive for PFAS - often called forever chemicals because they never break down in the environment. This group of around 5000 different man-made compounds created for foams and non-stick coatings among other purposes have been linked to health issues. Pesticides known to contain PFAS that the EPA has failed to regulate are are one way that the compounds end up in the soil, plants and water supply according to our friends at PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility).

Poolesville has released a letter to every resident and this press release. 

The Reserve is particularly at risk of this kind of contamination of drinking water as it sits atop the federally designated Piedmont Sole Source Aquifer - the only source of drinking water for local wells in the western Reserve - outside the WSSC envelope by design. (How does a well work?) 

Collaboration (State, County, towns, groups) and tenacity will be needed to address the important issue. The Town will hold an information session on January 3rd at 7pm

In the meantime - here is the EPA list of actionable steps and resources to better understand PFAS.

​
WUSA video coverage below and transcript

Here at MCA, the short, short version of our mission is "We Connect." We connect farmers both new and established with plenty of resources but our expensive region access to land is a real stumbling block for new or expanding farmers. 

In 2011 we responded to this need with a new program - Land Link Montgomery. Since then 30+ farmers have been matched with leases to grow everything from flower and herbs to persimmons to tomatoes and peppers, nightshade and kiwano melon and even cattle and sheep. 

In 2022 we matched 6 farmers - here are a few of their stories. 

We wish these fledgling farmers many happy seasons in MoCo - and we are here with resources to help them thrive. There are many more farmers still seeking land and your support helps us connect these farmers with the land and resources to get started. We would be honored by your tax-deductible end of year gift.

Brown Cow Creamery at Savage Acres creates delicious cheese from grassfed cows in Dickerson, Maryland (see their primer on the benefits of grassfed beef here.) They also offer flours from their corn and wheat along with beef, pork and eggs. The Savages have a closed loop system with a local distiller where their corn is used to make whiskey and the spent grain is then fed back to the cows. You can find their products online and also at the Poolesville Farmers Market. 

Rock Hill Orchard in Mt Airy is a pick-your-own and the site of Woodboune Creamery - the nations first all pasture raised robotic dairy. Having trouble picturing the laser guided nozzles and mobile linked updates of their dairy barn- this video will help. Since that video, the Fendricks of Rock Hill have added an ice cream parlor - the only Montgomery County stop on the MD Ice Cream Trail.  Though the gals are slowing down milk production for the winter products are available at the farm and Germantown pick ups. Learn More.
John Fenderick was kind enough to join our Farm Accessory Solar webinar to detail the system on his barn roof. Watch the recording here. 

Both of these farms are practicing rotational or intensive grazing - moving the cows regularly through multiple pastures.  Rock Hill details how this works. The result is healthier soils that are able to hold more water runoff - preventing erosion and improving water quality. A deep dive on this can be found at Maryland's Million Acre Challenge

 The King Barn Dairy Mooseum catalogs the history of MoCo's many, many dairies. Open May- October they feature interactive exhibits on the historic King Farm. An interactive map shows the sea of small dairies that used to operate throughout the County. 

Dear Friend of the Ag Reserve, 

As the year closes, we thank you once again for your support of our efforts to protect the farmland, open spaces, natural resources, and historic assets of our nationally recognized Agricultural Reserve. Since 2001, MCA has emerged as a regional force that recognizes the critical role of local activity and engagement in support of global imperatives of protecting farmland and natural environmental services in the face of our changing climate. 

​

• Continue to grow the next generation of farmers through our Land Link Program (MocoLandLink.org)
• Collaborate to establish a farm incubator connecting new farmers with land and training to jumpstart diverse new farms and expand regenerative agricultural practices in the County.
• Maintain vigilance to guard against unwise land use proposals, legislation, and regulatory changes and monitor the roll out of the recently approved Thrive 2050 plan.
• Plant more acres of native “forever forests” and urge the new Council to adopt a strengthened Forest Conservation Plan for the whole County.

We appreciate and continue to need your support for our efforts to ensure the best possible stewardship of this special resource we all love. We invite you to join us as we keep our eyes on the prize and “dig in.” ​

Peace and good health to you and yours this holiday season,