through some heavy litter , including tires and a frightening amount of liquor containers . “ When we were close to time running out and as the high school group hit the rise in the road … there they werethe intrepid middle schoolers with full loads in trash bags slung over their shoulders . They looked like a group of small Santas ,” Dan shared . He added that they weighed in several hundred pounds of collected trash . These little projects feed into Ciaran ’ s bigger plan . He shares , “ I hope we can educate kids about their environment and how we can work together to protect it .”
Want to adopt a road in your community ? www . montgomerycountymd . gov / dot-dir / adoptaroad
Big Institution Collaborates with Little Farm
One Acre Farm in Dickerson has a solid belief : the environment should be protected , local businesses should thrive , and paying workers a living wage should be standard . Full disclosure — while Mike Protas started his farming operation on
For most of the history of this country our motto , implied or spoken , has been Think Big . I have come to believe that a better motto , and an essential one now , is Think Little . That implies the necessary change of thinking and feeling , and suggests the necessary work .
~ from think little essay by wendell berry
one acre , his operation now grows organically produced vegetables on 7 acres on a farm he and his such as cabbage , squash , tomatoes , broccoli , greens , cauliflower , wife purchased in 2018 . Prior to the pandemic , employees of Montgomery County based Adventist
The farm ’ s manager Charlotte
peppers , onion , potatoes …
Healthcare Group could purchase Henderson shares , “ We think this deeply discounted produce from program is incredible for many One Acre Farm ’ s market stand at reasons : 1 ) 200 hard-working folks their Shady Grove location . The in the medical world are receiving discount difference was paid to the fresh local nutritious produce every farm by Adventist . week during the growing season
During the pandemic , seeing at no cost to them , 2 ) Our farm is a need to further support their paid directly by Adventist for the tireless staff , Adventist switched produce we provide — it is reassuring to have this guaranteed sale and up the approach for this program providing pre-packed bags of vegetables to their employees , cover- diversified , 3 ) We know before we
also helps keep our revenue stream
ing full costs of the program . plant how much we need to grow
Every week during the growing season ( June-November ), the 4 ) The program is a steady con-
and what to grow for the program ,
farm brings 200 pre-packed bags stant in the rhythm of the season , of fresh local vegetables to either 5 ) Nutritious produce is getting to Adventist ’ s Shady Grove or White extremely busy folks who might not Oak locations . Employees have a otherwise have access .” choice from four different options These benefits occur through of bags containing 4-5 different direct collaboration between local businesses and local farms . Imagine how this model might radiate outward bolstering both farm stability and health benefits . Local farmers , government and non-profit organizations have well stepped up to meet the needs of residents looking for healthy protein and produce . Look for more of these triumphs in issues to come .
Caroline Taylor is executive director of Montgomery Countryside Alliance and lives with her family on beloved small acreage in the Agricultural Reserve .
6 plenty I summer growing 2022