Visit a local farm this fall for apples, pumpkins, corn mazes, Christmas trees and more!

Click here to see our new Fall Festival of Farms brochure! 

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NEW! Montgomery County 2008 Equestrian and Stable Survey

(Click here for more information and to read the report) 

Participate in the Buy Local Challenge this year and support our local farmers!

To view and print the Buy Local Challenge flyer, click here!

Sign up for email announcements on Agricultural News and Information or the Annual Farm Tour

(follow the link, above, to create an account and check applicable boxes under "Economic Development")

Changes in County's Weapons Law Affects Deer Hunting Season

In an effort to address the increasing deer over-population in Montgomery County and the problems associated with it, the County Council enacted a law that went into effect in March 2008 that provides more flexibility for deer hunting under controlled circumstances. The new law gives the County additional tools for addressing the problem while protecting the public’s safety. The proliferation of deer in the County has caused significant problems to the agricultural community and has contributed to an increase in automobile collisions and the spread of Lyme disease. The key components of the new law pertain to deer only...Read the complete news release. 

Read letter to Rural Residents regarding changes to Chapter 57  (pdf)

Read Chapter 57 of the Montgomery County Code: Weapons (pdf)

View Weapons Law Limits Map (pdf - 1MB)

New! Weapons Law Summary Brochure (pdf)

Deer season is back, and the Deer Donation Program is again accepting deer for donation to area food banks. Download the Poolesville Area or Laytonsville Area (36 kb/PDF) deer donation flyer  to find out how farmers and hunters can donate deer to the region's hungry. Important! The contact  information and drop-off hours for the Poolesville Area cooler have changed. Please download the Poolesville Area flyer for updated information.

Topics of Interest (Updated 10/17/07): 

NEW! Celebrate Rural Montgomery has developed an interactive resource guide to agriculture in Montgomery County. Explore farms, historic sites, museums and parks** inside and outside the Agricultural Reserve. Printed guides are also available at the Agriculutral History Farm Park. (**Requires Macromedia Flash Player) 

Attention Fruit and Vegetable Producers! Are you looking for a wholesale buyer for your produce? Download our list of Regional Wholesale Produce Buyers (92 kb/PDF).

Looking for a reliable source of fresh, local fruits and vegetables for the next growing season? Join one of Montgomery County's Community-Supported Agricultural Operations (CSAs) (21 kb/PDF). Hurry, subscriptions are limited and fill up fast!

Deer Management - Find out how the Division is supporting County deer management efforts.

Farmland Preservation - Learn how to preserve your farm for future generations.

Publications - Download fact sheets, pamphlets, the Montgomery County Horse Study, and the Montgomery County Farm Directory. 

 The Agricultural Services Division was created to support and promote the viability of the agricultural industry in Montgomery County. Agricultural activities occupy about one-third of Montgomery County's land area and the County's diverse agricultural industry - 577 farms and 350 horticultural enterprises - produces more than $251 million in economic contribution and employs more than 10,000 residents.  

The Agricultural Services Division works to increase the public's awareness of the value and economic impact of agriculture. In order to preserve working farmland, the Division works closely with farmers in the County's Agricultural Reserve. More than half of the County's 93,000 acres of viable farmland is now preserved through transfer of development rights or easement purchase intiatives. The County has a farmland preservation goal to protect 70,000 acres of farmland by the year 2010.

The majority of Montgomery County farms are family-run operations, many reaching back several generations, and these farms are state-of-the-art agricultural operations, contributing to the County's incredibly strong economy. Preserving farmland as a resource ensures that Montgomery County will have agricultural production capabilities in the future.

25th Anniversary of the Agricultural Reserve

2005 marked the 25th Anniversary of Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve.
Celebrate Rural Montgomery, in cooperation with the Department of Economic
Development (DED), sponsored numerous events throughout the year that highlighted and helped celebrate this important milestone in the history of our award-winning Agricultural Reserve. As part of the celebration, a commemorative map of the County (116 kb/JPG) was commissioned and made available for purchase by the public. Maps are still available for purchase from the Division at a cost of $12.00. Please call 301-590-2823 for more information

Contact us by phone or email 

The Division cooperates with the following departments, agencies and nonprofit organizations:

Government:

 Montgomery Soil Conservation District

 Maryland Cooperative Extension in Montgomery County

 The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission 

 Maryland Department of Agriculture

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

 U.S. Department of Agriculture

Farm Service Agency

NRCS

Nonprofit:
 
 Celebrate Rural Montgomery

 Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry