P L E N T Y SUMMER 2019 Plenty Summer 2019-joomag copy | Page 38

burg Road contains a one mile, single lane of con-
crete laid in 1931, typical of the first roads paved for
automobile use. Known as politicians’ pig paths, they
nearly always ended at the gate of some person of
political influence. But Martinsburg Road has a much
longer history. The section from Route 28 to Wasche
Road was established in 1838 due to a petition from
local farmers and businessmen seeking access to local
mills and the C&O Canal. As was custom, stone walls
were built to line both sides. It was named in 1866 for
the black community located at the intersection with
Whites Ferry Rd.
The Rustic Roads Advisory Committee (RRAC),
and three agencies now oversee the program: Mary-
land National Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion (MNCPPC), Montgomery County Department
of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Montgomery
County Department of Permitting Services (MCDPS).
Just over 20 years old with a proven success, it has
received a number of honors including the Montgom-
ery Prize from Montgomery Preservation, Inc. and the
Royce Hanson Award from Montgomery Countryside
Alliance (MCA).
In 2012, the RRAC and MCDOT created a special
street sign with a brown background to distinguish
Rustic Roads from the green road signs we usually see.
The transition will take time but eventually all Rustic
Roads will be easily identifiable. Not only does this help
travelers, but it also aids the many farm businesses
aiming to attract day visitors who seek fresh local food
and a connection with farming and open spaces. The
recent interest in agritourism, common in countries
like Italy, offer a way to enrich and extend the experi-
ence of visiting local farms. Montgomery County and
area nonprofits have implemented start-up and mentor
programs to train young, upcoming farmers to assure a
continued working landscape.
Rustic Roads still face challenges from incre-
mental widening, loss of roadside habitat and ongoing
development sprawl. Yet in 20 years, the program has
yielded many benefits. There is poetry in rustic roads—
a sense of peace in an often clamorous world and a
deeply spiritual connection to our history on the land.
Ginny Barnes is an artist, environmental activist and some-
times writer who holds a special love for trees and forests.
M o n t g o m e r y
C o u n t r y s i d e A l l i a n c e
Working to Protect Farmland and Open Space
Check out MCA’s
ongoing initiatives at
MoCoAlliance.org
Land Link:
Connecting Farmers
& Landowners
Re-Leaf The Reserve:
Planting Trees to
Combat Climate Change
Regenerative
Agriculture:
Restoring the Soil
38
PLENTY I SUMMER GROWING 2019
Sunday, Oct 13, 2019
Catered Lunch  Farm
Rest Stops  Familes
and Teams Welcomed 
Routes of 10 - 62 Miles
Sponsorships Available
Registration Opens June 1 at RideForTheReserve.org
Ride Like The Reserve Depends on It!