Mission Statement

The Office of Agriculture (OAG) was created in July 2016 and exists to promote agriculture as a viable component of the County's economic sector, as well as to preserve farmland as a resource for future agricultural production. The goal of the OAG is to promote Montgomery County as a leader in the agricultural industry by providing support to our farm community and working to educate our residents.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY22 Operating Budget for the Office of Agriculture is $1,018,865, an increase of $27,012 or 2.72 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $991,853. Personnel Costs comprise 66.22 percent of the budget for eight full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 4.15 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 33.78 percent of the FY22 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• A Greener County
• A Growing Economy
• Thriving Youth and Families

Initiatives

• The additional $25,000 added to the Office of Agriculture's budget appropriation for FY22 will ensure that the Office is able to accept additional cost share applications.
• The Office of Agriculture is partnering with the Montgomery County Food Council and MANNA Food Bank on the Farm to Foodbank program. Through this program, over 60,000 pounds of food has been provided to local foodbanks during the past 6 months. This program has also provided $236,805 in grants to 22 farms to expand their growing capacity in order to meet the increased demand for food resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The first Biennial Report on the Status of Farm Alcohol Production (FAP) in Montgomery County was recently completed and submitted to the County Council as required by Resolution Number 18-1265. The data provided in this report illustrates that there is extensive, untapped economic potential in the Ag Reserve. The Office is working with the Council on amendments to Chapter 50 of the County Code which would assist in the achievement of economic growth in the Agricultural sector.

  
  

• The OAG, in partnership with the County's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Council, is working to expand on farm food composting in the Ag Reserve to assist the County in achieving its zero waste goal. Additionally, the Office also participated, along with the Department of Environmental Protection, private business and non-profits, in applying for a federal grant to expand farm composting in the County. While the initial grant was not selected, this public/private group continues to collaborate and seek out other opportunities to achieve this goal.
• Continue to work with the Department of Technology, Office of Broadband Programs, to expand access to broadband/high speed internet in the rural areas of the County. This initiative is a continuation of the Sugarland Broadband Pilot Program that was accomplished in December 2019.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• The Office of Agriculture has embraced the remote working environment and has been able to effectively utilize the telework tools provided by the County. These tools, especially Microsoft Teams, have enabled the Office of Agriculture to continue its work from day one of the pandemic without lapse. This seamless transition from office to telework has increased productivity.
• Initiated a process to gauge its efficiency and customer service by affixing a link to a customer satisfaction survey to the closing of all staff emails. The survey results received thus far indicate that the OAG is providing superior customer service to County residents.

Program Descriptions

  Agricultural Services

The Office of Agriculture (OAG) serves in a variety of capacities to provide the following services: implement agricultural policies and programs; provide technical assistance to farmers; manage agricultural education programs; provide financial and staff support to our partner agencies; serve as a liaison between the Executive Branch and the agricultural...

  Soil Conservation

This Program is comprised of staff and other resources from Federal, State, and local Agricultural agencies. It provides technical and outreach educational assistance to farmers/rural landowners for implementing best management and conservation practices. The Montgomery Soil Conservation District (MSCD) assists the County which is required to achieve the nationally mandated,...

  University of Maryland-Extension (UMD-Extention)

The Montgomery County Extension Office serves as the agricultural outreach and education component of the University of Maryland. This agency is funded cooperatively through local, State, and Federal governments. Farmers, families, and youth are the primary audiences of the Extension Office. Educational programs for farmers include raising crops and livestock,...