Montgomery County ’ s farms not only provide us with a variety of foods and other agricultural products , recreation opportunities , and educational offerings , but also volunteer opportunities ! If you or your community group are looking to get your hands dirty , be outside , and help take care of crops or animals , there are several non-profit farms that accept volunteers on a one-time or regular basis . Visit individual farm websites or contact farms directly for all the details prior to your visit !
VolunTEER AT A FARM !
Gardening
n Red Wiggler Community Farm redwiggler . org / volunteer n Charles Koiner Farm ckcfarming . org / apply-for-a-volunteership n The Farm at Cedar Ridge crcc . org / farm
Animal care
n Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary animalsanctuary . org / volunteer n Dream Catcher Meadows 7thGenerationFoundation @ gmail . com n Star Gazing Animal Sanctuary stargazingfarm . org / how-to-help / volunteer n Lost and Found Horse and Donkey Rescue lostandfoundmd . org
Both
n Button Farm Living History Center buttonfarm . org / volunteer-ssl-hours . html n Madison Fields madisonfields . org / contribute / volunteer
Mark your Calendar !
Bring the whole family to the 2023 Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale – July 22 & 23 . There are 21 farms participating . For all the details visit : www . montgomerycountymd . gov / agservices / farm-to-table / farm-tour . html
Bob Cissel , Director of Montgomery Agricultural Producers , had this to say about Jeremy and his team : “ In my many years of working closely with Jeremy and his staff , I have never seen or met anyone that has been more committed to supporting farmers and protecting the Agricultural Reserve . He ’ s a dedicated leader who leads by example . His knowledge of the County Code and regulations is widely known as a textbook for all to listen to and learn from . There ’ s no way to truly understand the in-depth knowledge we ’ re about to lose . Irreplaceable is the term that comes to mind . He will be missed .”
The Jamison family farms several thousands of acres in the county . “ Our family has known Jeremy for as long as he has been in the Office of Agriculture . Jeremy has worked diligently in support of all agriculture sectors , not only in this county but throughout the state . Without his help and guidance with farmland preservation , many farmers in Montgomery County could not have acquired some of their land . Truly this is what farmland preservation was designed to do , and he and his staff are the personification of that program . He will be missed by all of the ag community ,” said Kathy Jamison of Jamison Turf and Grain .
Caroline Taylor , Executive Director of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance says , ” Jeremy ’ s knowledge and dedication throughout his long career should serve as a model for others in public service . His penchant for getting right to the point and sharing his perspective , with earnest conviction , has been refreshing . We are proud of the programs and issues we have effectively partnered with the Office of Agriculture on during Jeremy ‘ s tenure , and know that that collaboration will continue .”
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We could go on and on with the testimonials from our agricultural community regarding the impact Jeremy has made on their lives . It is clearly evident that he ’ s been the guiding light for so many people and a staunch advocate for agriculture . Filling his shoes will represent a tremendous challenge and his efforts will be truly missed in the years to come . Thank you Jeremy for your incredible service to Montgomery County and especially for being our voice , our advocate , and our friend . We wish you all the best in the years ahead !