farmfront
Despite Sprawl and Development , Montgomery County ’ s Farming Future is Sound
by michael shulman
From above , the contrast between development in Virginia ’ s Fairfax County and the undeveloped farmland just across the Potomac in Maryland Montgomery County ’ s Agricultural Reserve is stark . Indeed , Montgomery County has its own share of development pressure , with urban and suburban sprawl seeming to develop any available land overnight . Despite this , the county ’ s farms are plentiful and food production is booming , as many do everything they can to see local agriculture succeed and serve the community well into the future .
Montgomery County is home to 558 farms with a total of 316,800 land acres . While some of this land is threatened , much is protected by the innovative zoning of the Agricultural Reserve , designated for farming with easements to protect farmland from development , according to Jeremy Criss , Director , Office of Agricultural Services in Montgomery County . The Reserve , established in 1980 by the Montgomery County Council , encompasses 93,000 acres with the intent to protect the county ’ s farmland and agriculture operations .
“ The edges of various zones come up against the Agricultural Reserve in areas around Clarksburg and Damascus , for example ,” said Criss . “ With our Reserve in place , 4,400 acres near Poolesville can be protected from development and other areas , as well .”
The American Farmland Trust ( AFT ), a national organization dedicated to smart growth and keeping farmers on the land , works in the Mid-Atlantic region , including Montgomery County . AFT played a key role in the establishment of the Agricultural Reserve and encourages a modest balance between well-planned development and robust , local food production in the county .
“ No jurisdiction better understands how to securely protect land as a resource while also simultaneously accommodate private property rights than Montgomery County ,” said former AFT staff member Edward Thompson , Jr .
The Agricultural Reserve ensures benefits to farmers ’ bottom lines and to the success of the greater local food production system .
“ AFT sees this type of zoning continuing to play a vital role in farmland protection in areas at very high risk of low-density development , such as Montgomery County ,” said Amanda Cather , AFT Mid-Atlantic Program Manager and owner and operator of Plow and Stars Farm in Montgomery County . “ For consumers , supporting the local food system by buying from local farmers whenever possible , backing incentive-based policies that reward farmers for positive environmental outcomes , and encouraging policymakers to protect farmland and support regenerative farming practices , will help ensure that our farms are resilient , profitable and secure even in the face of growing threats from development .”
To combat the current climate crisis , Montgomery County plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035 , according to the county ’ s Climate Action Plan .
Agricultural activities emit far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than those that take place on developed land , according to AFT ’ s 2017 Greener Fields report . To avoid greater emissions from real estate sprawl , land protection should play a major role in reducing them , the report stated .
32 plenty I summer growing 2022