LAND LINK Montgomery
Those of us served by groundwater wells here in the Agricultural Reserve and communities like Barnesville , Poolesville , Sugarland , Darnestown , Martinsburg , Damascus , Dickerson , Boyds , Etchison , Clarksburg , and western Potomac are closely tied to our groundwater . We consider ourselves very fortunate as the water is clean and cold , without additives and without per gallon charge , though we maintain our own well infrastructure . This good gift comes with responsibility . We track the seasons and precipitation , or lack thereof , ready to implement water conservation methods such as limiting laundry loads , landscape irrigation , and celebratory showers .
Farmers also utilize practices that will hold water as best as possible on the land , avoiding storm water runoff and enabling recharge of precipitation into the aquifer . We know that squandering this resource spells disaster for our farms and communities . Imagine if farmers had to source their water from WSSC , paying per gallon . The additional operating cost would break a number of farm operations . Remember , it was noted that the rural part of Montgomery County is outside the WSSC service area , as laid out in the County ’ s comprehensive water supply and sewage systems plan updated in 2022 by design . This plan is aimed to hold public cost down and , importantly , contain sprawl development that relies on public water and sewer infrastructure . It is a solid plan with a good purpose .
Up next in part 2 of The Good Gift — a discussion of looming challenges to the aquifer , including issues around climate change and future development in Montgomery County , and how we might get ahead of them , together .
Caroline Taylor serves as executive director of Montgomery Countryside Alliance and lives with her family in the Reserve . She completed the petition for the Poolesville Sole Source Aquifer designation in December of 1996 with her young son fidgeting merrily on her lap .
Farmers seeking land
LAND LINK Montgomery
A program of Montgomery Countryside Alliance helping farmland and farmers find each other ...
Land Link has matched 33 new and expanding farmers with long term leases . Here are a few of the farmers that are still seeking land through the program .
n An African with 30 + years experience in farming back in my country and 4 years experience in gardening here in the USA looking for one acre of land to produce vegetables and , if possible , a small poultry operation to give my community the best vegetables and chicken . I will soon complete the Beginning Farmers training program with Eco City Farm and would like to apply my new knowledge learned .
n We are an employment social enterprise . Our mission is to eradicate barriers to employment faced by women who have been impacted by the justice system , are unhoused , aged out of foster care , or are chronically unemployed . Currently , we are in a business accelerator with the American Heart Association and a program sponsored by Howard University . Our need is 5 acres or more with access to water for our pasture-raised laying hens , and to grow seasonal produce and flowers . A land donation , long-term lease , or sale is what we are seeking to continue job training operations . Thank you for considering our “ do good ” organization !
n I am a personal private chef with 10 years farming experience looking for land for lease to grow crops and plants for the ingredients I use for my customers . I also am looking to grow the ingredients needed to create specialty products including cashew hummus , flax pesto and almond dips . Crops include garlic , herbs , peppers .
n Compost Crew is looking to partner with farms to divert food scraps from the local community and make compost to improve crop yields . We are interested in leasing or buying at least a half acre of land for our composting program . Access to electric and water , a skid steer , and asphalt or concrete pad is a big plus .
n Community herbalist ready to grow ! I have been a grower of herbs in gardens large and small for many years and completed the Beginning Farmer Training Program at Eco City . Working with a mentor through Future Harvest and utilize sustainable growing practices . We grow a wide variety of aromatic medicinal plants and herbs , some culturally relevant vegetables . Looking to steward up to one acre .
Learn more : www . mocolandlink . org Bethesda Beat profiled The Faces of Land Link : bit . ly / BBLandLink
Mocolandlink . org