Rural Montgomery

Celebrate Rural Montgomery
On the 25th Anniversary of the Agricultural Reserve

2005 marked the 25th Anniversary of Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve, a rural crescent of more than 90,000 acres crowning the northwestern third of the county. Montgomery is a leader in farmland and open space preservation, showing that working farms can thrive in close proximity to urban and suburban areas.

The Agricultural Reserve has been called "the country's most successful farmland preservation program."

Join us as we celebrate the beauty of Montgomery's historic farms and scenic countryside with events held throughout the year.

Although Montgomery County is best known for attractive, livable suburbs, its Agricultural Reserve is key to the region's overall quality of life, providing residents throughout the county and the Washington area with access to historic landscapes, fresh farm produce and ornamental plants, recreational opportunities such as horseback riding, hiking, cycling and canoeing, and protection of air and water resources. Families from across the region visit the Reserve for fresh berries and peaches in summer, hay rides through the pumpkin patch in October, and freshly cut trees at Christmastime. Homegrown produce is sold at pick-your-own farms and farm stands within the Agricultural Reserve and at Farmers Markets in nearby cities and suburbs.

We invite you to join us as we honor Montgomery County farmers, their productive farms, and the vision of the county planners who brought the Agricultural Reserve to fruition a quarter century ago. We also honor those who are currently committed to the ongoing integrity of regional farmland. Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve enriches the lives of all area residents and gives children a glimpse of our agrarian past. Explore our website and learn about the historic rural landscapes that can be found within a stone's throw of the nation's capital.

"The County's diverse agricultural industry — 577 farms and 350 horticultural enterprises — produce millions of dollars in economic contribution from farm products and operations. The majority of Montgomery County farms are family-run operations, many reaching back several generations, which employ more than 10, 000 residents."

Montgomery County, Maryland
"Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage —
Connecting Our Past…With Our Future."

25th Anniversary Map of the Agricultural Reserve

To purchase this map,
please contact Historic Medley.

Click here to read about the map in the Washington Post.

Interested in Visiting a
Local Farm?
Read about Fall on the Farm
to find the one closest to you!

2005 Montgomery County Farm Directory

Find the local farms that sell the products you're looking for!

Coming Winter 2006....

a new website
is on the way!

HOME • AG RESERVE • HISTORY • TOP TEN BENEFITS • FARM FACTS • GET INVOLVED • C ALENDAR • BECOME A FRIEND • ABOUT US • NEWS

Celebrate Rural Montgomery
is a campaign of the
Montgomery Countryside Alliance.

For More Information

Photographs © 2005 Lee Langstaff
Thanks to Lee Langstaff for her generosity in providing so many of her beautiful photographs. Unless otherwise noted, all photos in this site are her work. If you are interested in acquiring one of her photos, please contact Lee.

Site Design by Stone Graphics

Website text written by:
Melanie Choukas-Bradley