 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
County Executive Isiah Leggett
Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor
Rockville, MD 20850
Dear Mr. Leggett:
I applaud the County's efforts to advance food and agriculture policy through the Green Economy Task Force, the Small Farm Incubator Initiative, the Sustainable Community Food Initiative, and the long tradition of preserving agriculture in the County as exemplified in the Agricultural Reserve. I strongly support the calls from local and state organizations for a County Food and Agriculture Policy Council, for advancing quality of life and economic stability.
The timeliness of this opportunity is related to many factors now coalescing in the region and Montgomery County. We believe that one of those factors is the future of Nick's Organic Farm (Brickyard Farm) in Potomac, which is now tentatively slated to be converted into soccer fields. Besides its unique isolation from other farms generating genetically modified (GMO) pollen, it could become a County anchor for agricultural education for school children and adults that could unite the tradition of the Ag Reserve with the emerging models of a local and regional food and agriculture system—drawing upon urban fringe and urban agriculture, small farm direct marketing, environmentally friendly farming techniques, and food security through local production and job creation.
If the lease on this farm were amended to permit educational, as well as agricultural, activities, this site could become part of a cooperation with appropriate non-profit organizations in the County and in the region to become an ideal educational opportunity, reaching out to demonstrate the origin of food, the connection of local food to food safety and security, the USDA "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Foodquot; initiative, as well as becoming a mentoring and incubator facility for the next generation of farmers.
With no or little public expense, and with its existing ties to the research community and private non-profits, Nick's Organic Farm could build on the public value it already brings to the County. This farm is already up and running with a 30 year track record, requiring no lead time to develop. The organically-tended soil has had more than three decades to foster the organic matter key to supporting healthy plants.
As such, this land is not only a model for how organic farming can exist on the urban fringe, it is also a highly unusual research tool given its 30 years of organic cultivation. It also carries a unique history that is significant for people in the County and State as well as at the national level.
I urge you to consider the opportunity before you to strengthen our local food system, public health and economy.
Sincerely,
Alvin A. Carlos
Chair, Montgomery County Sierra Club
