Citizens To Preserve The Reserve, Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve

Maryland Establishes Farm-To-School Local Food Program
This past Maryland General Assembly session saw the passage of a bill establishing the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program in the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The bill -- which was named in honor of the late Delegate Jane Lawton -- would promote the sale of nutritious locally grown farm goods to our schools; solicit farmers to participate and keep a database of those their farm products and harvest schedules; connect school systems and farmers; and establish "Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week." The bill passed in both houses with support from farmers, the State Department of Agriculture, the Maryland School Board, and various PTAs. The governor's approval is expected.

If you are interested in promoting Maryland public schools as a market for local farmers, including in the Agricultural Reserve, please contact your state representatives and urge them to continue the work begun with the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program. Click here for more on Farm-To-School programs. An Associated Press article on Maryland's program is available here.

County Council Approves Two Key Pieces of Legislation Based on Recommendations of Ag Policy Working Group
The Montgomery County Council has approved two key pieces of legislation affecting agriculture and the Ag Reserve. One, ZTA 07-07 clarifies what development limits are placed on land in the RDT zone that has a TDR agricultural easement governing the ground. This helps to clarify that the ag easement limits the land to agricultural uses. CPR specifically testified for this legislation and advocated for its passage on behalf of its membership.

The other, Bill 12-07, requires sellers of real property in agricultural zones to notify potential buyers that state and county laws protect owners and operators of agricultural uses from certain lawsuits, and generally amends the law covering real estate disclosures.

Click here to read the County Council Ag Policy Working Group's final report, which led to this legislation. Further explanations of all legislation proposed by the Working Group is on our Resources page.