Juniper Moon Farm’s Mighty Big Giveaway is even more mighty than anticipated- All four contestants have been awarded starter flocks of sheep, including Ag Reserve farmer Audrey Morris!

Many thanks to those of you who took the time to vote and root for our local gal.  Congratulations to all the contestants!  Most of all, thanks to wonderful Juniper Moon Farm for their heart, generosity and foresight in knowing that collectively we must support our future farms and farmers!

OUR MISSION

In a nutshell, the Reel Water Film Festival hopes to raise awareness about the global water crisis, inspire people to take action, and install new wells for communities who desperately need clean water.

Heritage Montgomery Announces Emmy® Nomination for Life in a War Zone

Heritage Montgomery is pleased to announce that Barbara Grunbaum has been nominated for an Emmy® Award for her work as producer of the documentary, Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War.  Ms. Grunbaum wrote, produced, and directed Life in a War Zone for Heritage Montgomery, executive producer of the project.

Heritage Montgomery Executive Director Peggy Erickson remarked that:  “Heritage Montgomery is thrilled that Barbara has been recognized for the outstanding job that she did on the film.  Her knowledge of Montgomery County history and considerable skills as a writer/producer/director made Barbara the perfect person to tell this important story of our area’s rich Civil War history.”

Heritage Montgomery would also like to salute other key members of the production team including Joseph Thompson (Director of Photography), Francine Wyron (Editor & Graphic Designer), Charlie Pilzer (Sound Editor), and Greg Lewis (host).

The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is the local chapter responsible for awarding excellence in the television industry.   The 54^th Emmy® Awards will take place on June 16^th at the Newseum in Washington DC.

Heritage Montgomery, located in Germantown, Maryland, is dedicated to promoting and supporting heritage tourism to historical, cultural and natural areas in Montgomery County.

The winning project produced a published resource!

Member Melane Hoffmann and
Exec. Director Caroline Taylor review notes…

MCA Board members Melane Hoffmann, David Shneyer and Executive Director Caroline Taylor had the pleasure reviewing the senior Global projects at Poolesville HS again this year.  Poolesville High School’s Global Ecology Program, as well as the other excellent honors programs: Science Math, Humanities and Independent Research have helped to garner the school status as #1 high school in achievement in Maryland and #64 in the U.S.  The Global program is a County wide magnet attracting the best and brightest to the school.

We hear much about the importance of the Ag Reserve and supporting local farms.  Folks ask how they can help.  One of the best ways is to seek out local markets and restaurants that source as much as possible locally.  Demand for locally grown food will keep our Reserve farms strong, your plates deliciously full and ensure the long term success of the Ag Reserve and neighboring farmland.

Three really nice choices are linked below.  And in the interest of ensuring the highest quality – we have sampled, and sampled again, all three.  Hey, we wanted to make absolutely sure they were going to be good.  All three are family friendly.  Alexander’s is in a beautiful historic inn in the heart of  scenic Buckeystown, just over the Montgomery County line in Frederick County.

Chef Tony’s in Bethesda

Alexander’s in Buckeystown

Ricuitti’s in Olney

We are pleased to announce that the Montgomery County Civic Federation, a non-profit supporting civic engagement and good government in MoCo since 1925, is honoring MCA with the Wayne Goldstein Award. The award is given each year to honor an individual or group for outstanding public service to the people of Montgomery County.

Many thanks to the folks at MCCF for the nonor – we will continue to work hard to live up to it!

More info on the award’s history here.

First the bad news- despite the best efforts of a coalition of more than 20 organizations and the backing of many sponsors and most importantly, the calls and emails of our members,  neither MC 16-12, HB 722 or SB 1100- all bills seeking to protect farming from being prohibited in the Reserve under homeowner covenants- passed the General Assembly before the end of the 2012 session. Read all the background here.

We would like to thank sponsors Senators  Montgomery, Garagiola , Frosh, Madaleno and Raskin. Along with Delegates Lee, Mizeur, and Miller. Got a minute- say thanks!

The following organizations were steadfast partners in pushing for these bills: Audubon Naturalist Society, 1000 Friends of Maryland, Environment Maryland, League of Women Voters, Montgomery County Civic Federation, Conservation Montgomery, Montgomery Victory Gardens, Maryland Horse Council, Montgomery Farm Bureau, Montgomery County Ag Advisory Committee, Sugarloaf Citizens’ Association, growingSoul, Manna Foods, Izaak Walton League, Montgomery Soil Conservation District, Mixed Greens Inc., Montgomery County Park and Planning, Montgomery County Council, Montgomery County.

But… we remain undaunted and next session we will be seeking state level recognition of the public policy behind the Reserve- the underpinnings of the right to farm bills taken up this session. This will be a powerful step in cementing the Reserve as a place with purpose, and that purpose is farming.

It is clear that more needs to be done to show the importance of the Reserve to our representatives in Annapolis- even some who represent the county itself are unaware of its history or even existence.  And so we redouble our efforts and rely on all our supporters and  the allies that do get it- like Delegate Mizeur:

“The agriculturally-based principles we are working hard to advance in the legislature – buying local food and other products, preserving open spaces, protecting the environment through sustainable agriculture, and safeguarding Maryland’s agricultural history – are only achievable if Maryland family farmers are given the ability to operate successfully. Hampering that ability, especially in regions like the County Agricultural Reserve specifically created for farming, would be harmful for our agricultural future.”  - Delegate Mizeur- MoCo District 20

Thanks for your Support