Top Ten Benefits of the Agricultural Reserve

The population of Montgomery County is rapidly approaching one million. Several parts of the County are distinctly urban and there are many large tracts of suburban homes. Remarkably, the County has been able to preserve ~90,000 acres of farmland and open space in what is known as the Agricultural Reserve—also called the Ag Reserve or RDT (rural density transfer) zone.

This critical land preservation was made possible by a planning decision made by the County Council in 1981 and which is documented in the County's Master Plan for the Preservation of Agriculture and Rural Open Space. This master plan was the result of much study and debate on how to protect a critical natural, economic and cultural resource that stretches from Seneca Creek to Sugarloaf Mountain.

As a result of the County's foresight in 1981 and continued vigilance over the years, the Agricultural Reserve has been called 'the Country's most successful farmland preservation program.'"

Why should we protect the Ag Reserve?*

1. More than 90,000 acres of farmland comprise an aesthetic and historic rural landscape within an hour's drive of suburban Montgomery County and metropolitan Washington, D.C. Family farms and farming are preserved and residents of more densely populated areas can "recharge" by visiting this beautiful countryside.
2. The Agricultural Reserve provides fresh produce to area residents at pick-your-own farms, orchards, and farm stands within the Reserve, and at farmers markets, grocery stores and restaurants in nearby cities and suburbs.
3. The pastoral acreage of the "Ag Reserve" serves as a "green lung" for the Washington, D.C. area, cooling and cleaning the air.
4. The spring-fed streams winding through the Reserve feed into the Potomac, Patuxent and Anacostia rivers and ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay. Preserving farmland and open space protects groundwater, drinking water supplies and the threatened Chesapeake Bay watershed.
5. The Ag Reserve offers numerous economic benefits to the County. Farming in the County employs 10,000 people and contributes $252 million to the annual economy. Working farms contribute more to the economy than the costs of services they require. By preserving farmland and improving existing communities, the County saves millions of dollars in schools and other services.
6. The Ag Reserve provides children with the educational opportunity to visit farms and become acquainted with the way of life of their ancestors and with the agricultural industries on which humanity continues to depend.
7. The Ag Reserve provides a wealth of recreational opportunities, including horseback riding, cycling, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hunting.
8. The Ag Reserve preserves historic Civil War sites, routes of the Underground Railroad and 18th and 19th century homes, barns, mills and schools. Many artists, artisans and writers draw inspiration and resources from the Reserve.
9. The Ag Reserve adds crucial green acreage to Montgomery County's park system and provides critical habitat for plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and other wildlife in its farm ponds, springs, streams, hedgerows, rocky woods, fields and meadows.
10. The Ag Reserve contributes to the overall quality of life in the region, giving residents of the Washington metropolitan area the opportunity to experience urban, suburban and rural environments. It serves as a model for farmland preservation that has informed and inspired communities across the country.

*Ten benefits courtesy of Montgomery Countryside Alliance

The Sierra Club is a strong supporter of the Ag Reserve and has frequently voiced its beliefs to both the County Council and the Montgomery County Planning Board about threats to the viability of the Reserve. However, to accomplish this, we need your help. Please check out our volunteer opportunities and contact your elected and appointed officials about issues pertaining to the Ag Reserve.

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