Nick’s Organic Farm Brickyard Rd. Update
Councilmember Roger Berliner got more than he bargained for at the West Montgomery Citizens Civic Association (WMCCA) meeting on January 11. Residents were frustrated that Berliner knew about the Brickyard deal (to end the 30 year lease of land in Potomac to a celebrated organic farmer in order to make soccer fields) and were asking what he could do to stop it. Berliner maintained that there is very little that the Council can do, further frustrating residents.
In the months since the farmer, Nick Maravell, and the surrounding Brickyard Rd. Community heard about the sudden termination of the lease, Nick and his supporters have won several court cases, the most recent development being an out of court settlement with the Board of Education (the body that owns the land) that will allow Nick to farm until August 15, 2012. However, as evidenced by the WMCCA meeting, residents are still upset over a process governing public land that was any thing but public, at times seeming intentionally opaque.
Nick and his supporters are going to keep up the pressure in hopes that Nick can continue to farm the parcel until it is needed for school construction (the original terms of the lease with the BOE). Over 23,000 people, some living in the county, some from far off countries, have signed the MCA originated petition on Change.org in support of Nick’s Organic Farm and applying public process to public land.
Take Action – Learn More
Save Nick’s Organic Farm
Patch report on Jan. 11 WMCCA meeting
Global Mission’s ReZoning Quest: Action Needed!
Mountain in Fall - Hilary Schwab
Mountain in Fall - Hilary Schwab
Help Give Voice to The Sugarloaf Region:
Update: 1/19/2012
MCA delivered testimony at last night’s BOCC hearing. Numerous Frederick County residents spoke to the imporance of the 2010 comprehensive plan and the inequitable nature of the peace-meal rezoning that the BOCC is undertaking.
GMC’s attorney spoke and asked that the Resource Conservation zoning from 2010′s comprehensive plan be removed from the parcel that includes Little Bennett Creek because:
“we believe the areas in question will still have to be protected in the development process just like they would under Resource Conservation.”
We heartily agree- so why are they insisting that Resource Conservation Zoning is “inequitable” and “unfair”?
Update: 1/18/2012
Re: FC BOCC is now hearing the requests for rezoning 194 parcels that, if granted, will promote greater density of development in areas outside of growth centers- including the Global Mission Mega Church
The FC BOCC is undeterred by law and common sense so – we should write and remind them of both. In addition to information about the public hearings (including tonight’s hearing on the Urbana area requests) FC website says:
NEXT STEPS AND SCHEDULE
Written comments via e-mail or regular mail will continue to be accepted throughout the process. All comments received to date will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for their review.
That would mean that everything that we sent to the Planning Commission will be forwarded. Yet, I think we should err on the side of caution and send our emails directly to the BOCC. Note also that staff says that public work sessions will be scheduled for February. This dates will be made available soon. MCA staffer Kristina Bostick will present testimony tonight (1/18/2012) on the rezoning process and GMC’s requests specifically. Scroll down for our partners at Friends of Frederick County’s action alert. They have been tirelessly working to counter the attacks against the newly minted comprehensive plan and the law.
Your Action – send quick, respectful emails (sample follows) to addresses below:
Email Contact Information:
Blaine R. Young
C. Paul Smith
Billy Shreve
David P. Gray
Kirby Delauter
or
BCC: info@mocoalliance.org
Sample Email with suggested subject line (please personalize):
Regarding: Global Mission Church (GMC) Requests for Zoning Classification Change (UR 41 – UR 42)
Dear Mr. Gugel and Members of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners,
Thank you for the opportunity to write in support of the current Urbana Area Comprehensive Plan, in general, and in opposition to two zoning classification changes in particular. I am deeply concerned that GMC now seeks to change the classification of two particularly sensitive parcels along Little Bennett Creek. I respectfully oppose the reclassification of those parcels and ask you to do the same.
After recent and thorough review and public participation, the GMC property has been appropriately zoned in the comprehensive plan for resource conservation:
-The designation properly protects the fragile, yet high quality, Little Bennett watershed and steeply sloped and ecologically diverse forest that lead to the stream.
-The parcels sits atop highly fractured geology that promotes greater probability of surface contamination of critical water resources.
-The area is rich in history, natural resources and is served by a federally designated sole source drinking water aquifer.
-The destruction of these resources would be a detriment to not only Frederick County but to the region.
Thoughtful stewardship of Frederick’s natural and historic resources is the responsibility of its planners and government. Please ensure that our region’s resources are afforded long term protection and deny both requests – UR 41 and UR 42.
Sincerely,
______________________________
Update: 11/18/2011
First, thanks to all who last week wrote in to protect the 2010 Frederick County Comprehensive Plan from assault invited by the FC Board of County Commissioners earlier this year. While a number of us were focused on the Global Mission Church property in our communications, the overall message that this rezoning process is not grounded in law/ fact and violates every principle of sound land planning- resonated. The volume and nature of our communications may have helped give rise to what happened last evening….
Last Thursday’s official hearing at Winchester Hall began and ended rather quickly. Planning Commissioner Catherine Forrence spoke passionately of the cost and inappropriate nature of this reasoning process, being conducted without study or data just one year after the full several year comprehensive zoning process was completed. Bob White’s motion to halt the PC involvement in the process and support the standing 2010 Plan without change passed and the hearing record on the matter was closed.
Nonetheless, the PC did hear comments from those in attendance. Dolores Milmoe spoke on behalf of Audubon, thanking the PC for standing up for proper process. She noted sobering statistics as to the taxpayer cost of new development. MCA spoke and stressed that planning is not a short sighted endeavor and that FC, in their 2010, rightly protected water resources, farmland, and sensitive areas- including Little Bennett. Former PC and BOCC member Kai Hagen calmly gave overview to the exhaustive process that resulted in the 2010 comprehensive plan. A number of FC residents spoke in strong support of their Planning Commission. Several attorneys, whose clients were seeking zoning changes, bluntly shared their unhappiness with the turn of events. No surprise there.
Friends of Frederick County and Envision Frederick are due big thanks for carrying big water on this issue. This has and will be labor and resource intensive. They could use donations to carry on this big war for the future of Frederick County.
We will let you know what happens next. BOCC (minus David Gray, who has repeatedly voiced his dissension) will continue to press forward…but this clearly marks a turning point in their attempt to ram the rezoning through.
A lawsuit has been filed- Gazette Coverage:
http://www.gazette.net/article/20111115/NEWS/711159945/1016/lawsuit-seeks-to-curb-frederick-county-zoning-changes&template=gazette
Frederick News Post Coverage:
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_Comments.htm?section=a1&storyID=128474#postComments
_____________________________________
Most Important: Comments via email (see below)
Public Hearing, November 17th, 6pm – Winchester Hall, Church Street, Frederick
Global Mission Church is one of 194 properties in Frederick County seeking zoning changes in order to facilitate development of their mega facility (138,00 sq. feet 1st phase) in land planned for conservation of farming and natural resources. Should these applications be granted – over 15,000 acres of Frederick’s farmland and open space may be lost forever.
Please see the Frederick County website for more on this comprehensive re-zoning and review. See these good 11/10/11 notes from MCA member Meg Menke. (Thanks Meg!) See also MCA’s previous post for more on this development proposal and preservationists efforts to prevent the loss of treasured farmland and open space in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain and in both Frederick and Montgomery Counties.
What can you do?
sample letter zoning change request (for those of us who are pressed for time!)
If you would like to testify contact: caroline@mocoalliance.org
Help build a strong hearing record: Send comments by November 16th to: jgugel@frederickcountymd.gov
Copy us at: info@mocoalliance.org
Suggested Talking Points:
-The Global Mission property has been appropriately zoned for resource conservation.
-The designation properly protects the fragile Little Bennett watershed and steeply sloped and ecologically diverse forest that lead to the stream.
-The area is rich in history, natural resources and is served by a sole source drinking water aquifer.
-The destruction of the resources would be a detriment to the region.
-Thoughtful stewardship of Frederick’s natural and historic resources are the responsibility of its planners and government.
Planning Manager Jim Gugel, Department of Planning and Development Review writes us in response to our inquiry that:
The upcoming hearings in November are before the County Planning Commission. The Commission will then have public work sessions in December to make any recommendations on the requests. The Board of County Commissioners will have their own hearings and work sessions in the January/February time frame.
Please be aware that the hearing on the 17th is specifically for the Urbana region requests. A speaker sign up sheet will be available at 5 pm and the hearing starts at 6 pm. Speakers are allowed 3 minutes though at the Commission’s discretion organizations may be allowed 10 minutes.
Comments may be mailed or e-mailed to me. All comments will be provided to the Planning Commission for their December work sessions.
Jim Gugel, AICP
Planning Manager, Department of Planning and Development Review
Frederick County Community Development Division
jgugel@frederickcountymd.gov
Pepco’s Tree Hit List and Why Should We Care
Pepco’s aggressive tree cutting this summer in the rural areas of the county has seemed haphazard, shockingly leveling healthy trees on the opposite site of the road from power lines and outside of utility corridor (as was the case above along a stream that feeds the Potomac). Pepco has released a report that explains some of their methodology. Pepco, we are told, will be targeting certain species of trees that grow in the County. Which ones? The short answer: Nearly all of them.
Pepco’s list (Montgomery County falls into the Central Region, denoted by a “C” on the chart) is quite exhaustive, taking issue with all species of oaks, hickories, maples, cherries and sycamores, even finding fault with bamboo. Pepco’s plan is to target all the trees on this list, despite the health of the tree, taking out all canopy species that have taken generations to grow along roadsides.What sort of trees does Pepco want along roads? Small, mostly non-native species- Pepco’s tree trimming brochure.
Pepco was unsuccessful in their bid to get permission to cut on private property without the owner’s permission in a Council hearing this month. Property owners still have the right to refuse Pepco access to their properties, with an all out war declared on most native tree species, it is no wonder that hundreds of county residents are denying Pepco the right to even trim their trees.
MCA continues to work with Pepco and the county to make sure that best practices (as designated by certified arborists) are employed along our rustic roads. We seek appropriate balance between reliable power and preserving our roadside forests. This all comes at a time when County preservationists via Conservation Montgomery are pressing forward with a urban tree legislation.
Pepco full tree report
Previous Pepco posts
Benefits of Preserving and Protecting Large Trees by Audubon Staff
Carbon Sequestration: Trees do more than we knew…
The Ag Reserve Movie: Growing Legacy…With Your Help!
-
- I’m ready for my close-up!
Local filmmaker Mark Leisher has been busy behind the camera, capturing images and interviews that will tell the Reserve’s story, both educating and inspiring. We have talked with various folks from farmers, to government types, to consumers and visionaries in order to paint a picture of this special and important place. Both Mark and Cheryl Kollin/Full Plate Ventures (film script writer) come to us through Bethesda Green. The movie will be a powerful educational tool- seen in schools, film festivals and of course online.
You can watch the 4 minute trailer below. We hope you will consider sponsoring the production with a donation. Corporate sponsorship is welcome (naturally…)
See the trailer here
Land Link Launched!
MCA is proud to announce Land Link- a program to help farmers and farmland find each other- an initiative that came out of our February producers summit. Our new Land Link page can be found under the “community resources” tab above or click here.
Full press release: Land Link press release july 2011
Cell Towers: Mt. Ephraim Site: Denial Recommendation!
Preliminary Victory!!
While the final decision is up to the MC Board of Appeals, the Hearing Examiner, citing the Reserve Master Plan as well as the Master Plan for Rural and Rustic Roadways, has recommended denial of T-Mobile’s big, big cell tower silo smack in the Sugarloaf view shed. See below and note that MCA’ arguments were cited in the HE’s report as well as the able oral arguments of Chris Kendrick who spoke for the stakeholders (MCA, SCA and Audubon) at the hearing. Quite an uphill battle for T-Mobile at this site now.
The report submitted re: S-2800 is:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/council/zah/pdf/2011_Reports/S-2800.pdf
. . . and ends with:
“Based on the foregoing analysis, I recommend that Petition No. S-2800 for a special exception to
construct and operate a telecommunications facility at 22730 Mt. Ephraim Road, Dickerson, Maryland,
be DENIED.”
August 2011 Update:
Wasche Road Site – adjustments to location and screening of compound within trees may render this location less offensive to local community. MCA provided photographs to BOA and applicant to help determine placement of tree buffer.
West Offut Road: Site is scheduled for hearing in January. Applicant indicates that the delay will afford them time to research other locations/solutions.
Mt. Ephraim: Cell Tower Committee recommends placement of silo tower on the Savage Dairy farm in context of working farm. Doing so will achieve more harmony with landscape, including viewshed of and from Sugarloaf Mountain and also, as the land is at higher elevation, provide for improved coverage. Awaiting determination by hearing examiner at MC Board of Appeals.
White’s Ferry Road (near Poolesville): Crazy site! This tall tower would be the first thing you see and last impression you get into/out of Poolesville. Even T-Mobile thought better off it when the balloon test took place. They are evaluating other locations.
MCA continues to work toward the appropriate siting of a number of cell towers being proposed throughout the Ag Reserve. This process would have been greatly facilitated by front end discussions with the applicant that could have helped guide their process. We understand, for example, that they did not know that their proposed towers were to be located in a protected region. Notwithstanding that shortcoming, we press forward. The most recent discussion centers on the tower proposed near beloved Sugarloaf Mountain on Mt. Ephraim Road. T-Mobile now proposes a 127 foot tall silo in the Mountain’s sweeping viewshed (see image above taken from Mouth of Monocacy Road in Dickerson of balloon with silo to scale added). Here’s the problem: this very tall silo is to be located out of context of a working farm…in the middle of open field. The Stronghold folks on the mountain are not pleased and neither are others in the community. The recommendation is to re-evaluate need and provide either a system that lives on existing infrastructure or place the silo in the context of a working farm, such as the Savage dairy farm. See the letter to the hearing examiner here.
On Friday morning, May 20, Chris Kendrick (Board member Sugarloaf Citizens’ Association) attended the hearing on the T-Mobile Mt. Ephraim Road application before a hearing examiner at the Board of Appeals. He appeared on behalf on the community stakeholders and asked many questions regarding the data that T-Mobile presented as to need for the facility as well as to placement. The applicant was unable to answer some of the questions. The matter was referred back to the Montgomery County Cell Tower Committee and is far from over.
Click here for older posts on this issue
Poole’s Store Update: MHAA Grant for Restoration!
August Update: Our friends at Heritage Montgomery relay the following great news:
FY 2011 MHAA Grants Awarded
The Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County (Heritage Montgomery) is pleased to announce the local recipients of FY 2012 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) Grants totaling $163,000:
* $47,000 Capital Grant to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for the restoration of the Poole (Seneca) Store in Poolesville
* $9,000 Non-Capital Project Grant to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for Oakley Cabin Archeological Analysis & Interpretation in Olney
* $7,000 Non-Capital Project Grant to Heritage Montgomery for Heritage Days and Civil War Programs
* $100,000 Management Grant to Heritage Montgomery
___
Moreover, business has been going well for the Days and the community is hopeful that they will continue their operation at the Poole’s Store location.
June Update: Calvin and Mickey Day continue to do a brisk business at the Poole’s Store location on River Road. They are talking with the County about extending their lease. There are still veggie seedlings and beautiful bedding plants available along with feed and seed- come on down!
April Update: If you were wondering where to get your vegetable starters, annuals and perennials…don’t! Like the joyous springs of the past, they are still available at the Poole’s store location. Yes, they have hanging baskets and pelleted lime and more. So get in yer buggy, grab the kids and head on over before all those cool pansies and fine tomato plants are gone!
History for lease…House in Seneca for rent while Pooles’ Store is being renovated. Update: House has been leased – great news for the homestead.
16401 Old River Road, Poolesville, Maryland 20837
Spacious Living in a Country Setting! This large historic home has two-levels, four bedrooms, and two-bathrooms and is available for April 1, 2011 occupancy. Features include a covered porch. Its location is convenient to Rockville, Seneca Creek State Park, and the C&O Canal National Historic Park. The monthly rent for this home is $1,797 plus utilities, for M-NCPPC employees, and $1,932 plus utilities, for non-employees.
Applications for this house will be on a first-come, first served basis.
Rent may be subject to increases from time to time as permitted by law. Applications must include federal and state tax forms from Y2009 and Y2010, and a Thirty dollar ($30.00) non-refundable credit check fee.
Tenant selection criteria:
M-NCPPC employees, Montgomery County government employees with emphasis on Fire and Rescue, Police, Montgomery County Public Schools, and general public.
Completed applications:
Completed applications must be submitted to Legum & Norman Realty, Inc., 703-653-3378. Selected resident will be required to submit a security deposit equal to one month’s rent and supply the management office with proof of liability insurance listing “M-NCPPC,” as additional insured prior to move-in.
Carrye E. Massey, Park Property Manager
Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Hillandale Park Office Building
10611 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20903
Phone: 301-495-2517
Fax: 301-434-6169
carrye.massey@montgomeryparks.org
Global Mission Church Update – Not over yet!
August 2011: Still nothing scheduled before the FC Planning Board. Yet, we understand that the applicant has met, behind closed doors, with the FC Health Department staff. Apparently, GMC is working to back into the restriction of 4999 gpd discharge for their septic system. So, they go in and indicate that they will have less seats in the dining hall and less seats in the worship hall and several less classrooms. Now, will that work? Question has been raised as to whether the amount of alteration to the site plan then becomes a new application thus requiring public process/hearing. And how does this downsizing on paper jive with the stated (in writing and testimony) desire to have a really big church for a really big congregation? Remember, GMC went to court to battle for a septic system much larger that the 4999 gpd. They lost. Will keep you posted.
June Update: Nothing yet scheduled before the Planning Board in Frederick. MCA has made inquiry with MC Planning Commission regarding permits on the MC side and whether they are current and/or in conflict with standing master plans. Moreover, we have contacted the FC Health Department and expressed concern that the applicant may try to use “meeting” with health department staff to push through modified versions of their plan amounting to new application review without public process. The applicants history is a checkered one…with small proposals growing…mega. Donations to the legal fund are welcome as we will likely have to mount a legal case based on zoning, local, state and federal statutes. Make sure you note that your donations is for the Mega Church Legal Fund.
Previously:
Just in: Decision upholds the Board of Appeals reversal of the denial of the Global Mission Church’s site plan! Read the full court decision here. The Frederick County Attorney’s office will seek guidance from the FC Board of County Commissioners as to whether to pursue further appeal. Allowing this decision to stand would jeopardize the Planning Board’s authority in land use decisions. The FC Health Department’s denial of the septic system for this facility was based on fact: current and projected numbers of congregants and building capacity far exceed the septic carrying capacity at this site! In addition to holding Frederick Planners and Health Department officials to there obligations to ensuring compatibility of land uses to zoning and septic limitations, MCA is evaluating challenges on the Montgomery County side with regard to the road and bridge crossing over fragile Little Bennett. Opportunities for challenge under both State and Federal statutes exist and will be vigorously pursued by groups and community members if necessary.
MCA attended a hearing (Jan. 19, 2011) in Frederick Circuit Court to address the FC Attorney’s appeal of the FC Board of Appeal’s reversal of the Planning Board’s denial of Global Mission’s site plan application. Wow…that sounds complicated. Basically, the Frederick County Attorney filed an appeal of the decision to overturn the Planning Board’s decision. This was the hearing of that appeal.
The short report is that no action was taken by the Judge; we expect a decision on the proceedings in the next 30 days. We will, as always, be providing updates on the process as they become available. 
Hearing Summary
The Hearing began with FC Attorney Wendy Kearney laying out the months and years of proceedings in this case, emphasizing at each turn that GMC was not willing to downsize their project to bring it into compliance with the 5,000 gallon/day wastewater discharge limit, to this day the proposed building remains “a 10 pound building on 5 pound septic system”. She noted that the real crux of the argument is that until the building can be properly scaled to be within the 5,000 gpd cap, the health department can’t approve it, and as a result under state law the Planning Commission can’t approve the site plan.
To head off the violation of due process claims from GMC, Ms. Kearney noted that the BOA hearing (many MCA members will remember this 11 hour hearing) did not focus on the record but was instead a de novo (do-over, all new) hearing that would fix any slights GMC thought they got at the hands of the Planning Commission. Those who were there will remember the hours of cross examination, even cross examination of members of the public. The decision in that hearing came a few weeks after that marathon session, the record had been closed but one BOA member brought new EPA documents he found in an internet search into the decision making process. Despite the BOA Attorney’s cautionary advice, mention of these documents appeared in the final decision. This is not only sloppy practices, it is grounds for reversal- which is why when a motion to reconsider (and either add those docs to the record to disregard them) was denied by the BOA, the FC Attorneys had to take the matter to Circuit Court.
Ms. Kearney having caught the judge up on the back story, GMC’s counsel Danny O’Connor spoke on the County’s attempts to, “play gotcha with my client, put them in a catch 22.” Mr. O’Connor made a number of statements that misrepresented prior hearings, the main theme of his argument being that the Health Department changed the formula by which gallons/day were calculated, and did so days before a Planning Commission hearing. In her rebuttal to Mr. O’Connor’s comments, Ms. Kearney explained what anyone following this case knows to be true; that the Health Department was working with a reported number of sanctuary seats, assuming one or two services per Sunday. When they made the first calculations they did not know about a.) the 6 services planned each Sunday b.) the extra three story building holding 67 classrooms. Once FC Health Department Staff learned the true scope of the project, they revised their calculations up to reflect the increased use the building would get (6 gallons per day per sanctuary seat instead of 3 gpd). Obviously, the increased use meant increased wastewater discharge, taking the building far above the allowable 5,000 gallons/day. Again, “a 10 pound building on a 5 pound tank,” as Ms. Kearney said.
After each side laid out their arguments, the Judge asked about the implications of upholding (allowing the, in our eyes faulty, BOA decision to stand) or denying this case (letting the Planning Commission’s denial stand, our preferred option). The Judge was surprised to learn that GMC could have started over with a new site plan at any time. GMC’s lawyers explained that there were a number of new site development regulations in effect that the plan would be held to if they re-started the process, not to mention the cost of re-doing the plans. FC Attorney Kathy Mitchell clarified that GMC would be subject to new waste water rules even if they stuck with their current plan. In favor of denial, Ms. Kearney pointed out that the voluminous record in the case (which took three Courthouse staffers to move), would only grow larger with more hearings as the result of upholding the BOA.Additionally, both the BOA and Planning Commission each have two new members that would have to either re-hear the case or spend many, many hours reviewing the record.
Ms. Kearney made the most compelling argument of all based on what she identified as the most important fact in this case; unless GMC is willing to drastically downsize the size of their buildings, hearings could continue to drag on with no approval of their site plan.
Read on for more info and a link to the archives…
The saga continues as Global Mission Church (GMC) attempts to build a 135,000 sq ft mega church off rt 109 in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain with little regard for the rural community and its natural and historic resources. Take note: GMC is ultimately seeking a facility in excess of 200,000 sq. ft.!
On March 25th, the Frederick County Board of Appeals (BOA) voted 4-1 to send the decision on the GMC site plan back to the Planning Commission for further proceedings. Despite excellent testimony from residents and FC staff, and supported by a record demonstrating that GMC had ample opportunity to present and discuss their plan, the BOA wanted to give the church more time to meet with county staff to discuss the site plan.
MCA disagrees with the BOA’s decision because:
»The Church had already been granted customary and reasonable staff consultation time.
» Despite being told that the plan would exceed the septic capacity of 4,999 gallon per day, the church has failed to significantly change their plan in any way that would bring it into compliance.
»The Planning Commission voted to deny the GMC site plan because they were bound by law to do so. If the Health Department does not approve a septic system to be associated with a project, the Planning Commission is required to deny the site plan application.
The Frederick County Attorney’s office agrees with us on these points and is seeking to appeal the BOA decision in the Frederick Co. Circuit Court. In the BOA proceedings, County Attorney Wendy Kearney said that this was the most clear cut case for denial of an appeal that she has ever seen. And still, the BOA found in favor of the Church.
What’s Next?
The FC Attorney’s office Petition for Reconsideration is wending it’s way through the process, including a 30 day window for those who may file in opposition. We are monitoring the process closely and will update you when the court decides whether to take the appeal. We understand that parties may file friend of court statements, at appropriate time, in support of the County Attorney’s office. Please update us on any news you may have, including any activity at the proposed building site.
To read previous posts on GMC, click here and scroll down.
A Great Resource for Rural Issues
The Center for Rural Affairs has some fantastic articles on the issues facing Rural America and farmers.
For instance, some great articles on Rural Schools and resources for beginning farmers.
Sustainable Ag and Food Safety, 16 Tenets for Food Safety
“Everyone who lifts a fork has a right to safe and healthy food”
So begins the first Food Safety Tenet laid out by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in a new report on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Safety. The Coalition released this report to in anticipation of the debate and vote on SB510, the Food Safety and Modernization Act.
The Tenets address a few of the provisions in the bill that would impact small scale sustainable farmers. Taken together, the report advocates for safety as the prime goal at every step of the food system but advocates against a one-size fits all approach that puts inordinate burdens on small scale farms.
MCA is working to support a more vibrant local food system and get more farmers on the ground in our region. When there are fewer barriers (and miles) between you and the origins of your food, it is easier to ensure you are getting the best food available.While tighter government regulations are certainly necessary to keep our food system safe, when you know your Farmer, it is easier to know your food is safe.
Recently there have been a number of food safety scares involving food production at large companies that seem to have outgrown their ability to properly ensure food safety. In each of these instances we have pointed to how small scale farmers in and surrounding the Ag Reserve have been farming with the consumer’s safety in mind even when these giants of food production fumble. Read on..