If MoCo need housing, why keep agricultural reserve?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Uh, nope. You have no idea what you are talking about.

- MD farmer

I see.. so, when I go to the grocery store, which produce has "grown in MD" on them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering the county has a hard time finding new space for schools, I think the Ag reserve and other green spaces should be on the table for new school construction. MoCo cant on one hand keep green lighting housing projects then claim there is no land to build new school to absorb the new students. They need to find a way to make it happen and it might involve some hard choices.

Hard disagree. Our agricultural lands should be protected forever. You build a school then you have a parking lot. You have roads leading up to it and housing be gets built up around it. This is not a good idea.

Other option might be to stop allowing overdevelopment in close-in areas, preserving remaining parks, stopping the trading of county-owned properties there for that owned by developers farther out, requiring area infrastrucute coincident with area development (as opposed to as an afterthought), etc.

What constitutes "overdevelopment"? Which parks aren't being preserved? Would you prefer for the development to be in far-out areas on former farmland?

Oh, look! It's the "earnest truth seeker" question-only poster from the MCPS forum coming to cast doubt on others' suggestions and setting up straw men without providing anything substantive for critique in return. Funny meeting you here!

Of course I'm not advocating for mushroom developments on far-flung farmland. I'd advocate for more responsible consideration of development in those higher-density areas, though. You know, school capacity and such.

We're all in favor of responsible consideration. We don't all mean the same things when we use the term "responsible consideration", though. Which is why it can be helpful to explain specifically what you mean. If that's truth-seeking, ok, seeking truth is good, though I'd settle for just some basic clarification.

Let's see...from the posts already:

Schools (capacity, upkeep, etc.)
Parks (preserve open space in built-out communities)
Public facilities (stop swapping government-owned sites away)

Not sure why you would suggest that those weren't clear enough for the purposes of a public discussion board. Folks can contribute their own thoughts as to what responsible development might look like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering the county has a hard time finding new space for schools, I think the Ag reserve and other green spaces should be on the table for new school construction. MoCo cant on one hand keep green lighting housing projects then claim there is no land to build new school to absorb the new students. They need to find a way to make it happen and it might involve some hard choices.

Hard disagree. Our agricultural lands should be protected forever. You build a school then you have a parking lot. You have roads leading up to it and housing be gets built up around it. This is not a good idea.

Other option might be to stop allowing overdevelopment in close-in areas, preserving remaining parks, stopping the trading of county-owned properties there for that owned by developers farther out, requiring area infrastrucute coincident with area development (as opposed to as an afterthought), etc.

What constitutes "overdevelopment"? Which parks aren't being preserved? Would you prefer for the development to be in far-out areas on former farmland?

Oh, look! It's the "earnest truth seeker" question-only poster from the MCPS forum coming to cast doubt on others' suggestions and setting up straw men without providing anything substantive for critique in return. Funny meeting you here!

Of course I'm not advocating for mushroom developments on far-flung farmland. I'd advocate for more responsible consideration of development in those higher-density areas, though. You know, school capacity and such.

We're all in favor of responsible consideration. We don't all mean the same things when we use the term "responsible consideration", though. Which is why it can be helpful to explain specifically what you mean. If that's truth-seeking, ok, seeking truth is good, though I'd settle for just some basic clarification.

Let's see...from the posts already:

Schools (capacity, upkeep, etc.)
Parks (preserve open space in built-out communities)
Public facilities (stop swapping government-owned sites away)

Not sure why you would suggest that those weren't clear enough for the purposes of a public discussion board. Folks can contribute their own thoughts as to what responsible development might look like.

I asked which parks had been removed, and then you fussed instead of answering. I don't think any parks have been removed.

I completely support swapping away the school bus depot that's right next to a Metro station. There should be housing there, not school bus storage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda

[Anonymous]

I would love to hear more from the farmer about what he or she thinks could be done with the ag preserve!

It’s true we can’t grow lots of good stuff year round, but generations of folk did live off Maryland’s bounty before long range shipping became an option. We’d all just rather eat Chilean grapes and Mexican avocados rather than whatever we can grow in Maryland’s winter. But it’s important to have that space and the shared knowledge of how to use it for the eventual day when Latin America keeps its own fruit.

[Anonymous]

It’s also extremely expensive to add electrical, water/sewer, expand schools, or add mass transit to these areas. All inefficient. Not much appetite from developers or MoCo to pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda

not where I live

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda

what kind of locally grown produce do they have at that farmers market? Where are they growing berries, tomatoes in the winter? Is there a hothouse?

[Anonymous]

I’d like to see more tree planted on SFH in ag reserve.

I see massive grassy lawns on most properties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

The only vegetables that grows in January/February in maryland are mushrooms. radishes and peas.. Rye, barley, and other cereal grains are planted for Fall/Winter.

Here is a list of what is grown by month, but it's not all inclusive.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/maryland-seasonal-fruits-and-vegetables-2217184

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda

what kind of locally grown produce do they have at that farmers market? Where are they growing berries, tomatoes in the winter? Is there a hothouse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda

what kind of locally grown produce do they have at that farmers market? Where are they growing berries, tomatoes in the winter? Is there a hothouse?

The only vegetables that grows in January/February in maryland are mushrooms. radishes and peas.. Rye, barley, and other cereal grains are planted for Fall/Winter.

Here is a list of what is grown by month, but it's not all inclusive.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/maryland-season...d-vegetables-2217184

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

Actually, the farmers market in Olney is year round.

Historically, Montgomery County and Fairfax county supplied DC with food, and more came from West Virginia. People are canned produce in the winter, and stored root vegetables and some hard fruit, like apples. Thr apple farm near us in MD sells apples until they run out in the spring. We just bought local apples at the farmers market last week.

[Anonymous]

And, we also purchased locally grown radishes, and kale. Many farmers here , and in places like Amish country, use hoop houses.

It's almost like people who want to pave over everything don't understand so much about history or where their food comes from.

I also know of a number of blighted shopping centers in eastern MoCo, one right by Glenmont metro, that could be redeveloped into successful townhouse / condo / retail developments of there was any desire on the part of the owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think food shortages are going to be an issue in our lifetime or our children’s. Currently a ridiculous amount of our food comes from California .. with climate change, fires and droughts, how low can that continue? And the food coming from other countries? How long will that continue as they face shortages and political instability? We need more food grown in lots of different places and ideally closer to home than what we currently have. I don’t think the MoCo Ag preserve is being super well utilized at the moment but at least it is there if we need to repurpose it.

MD is too cold outside the summer to provide produce year round. CA is warm enough year round to provide produce, even in the winter.

I grow vegetables and fruit here in the summer, for like 3 maybe 4 months total, and fall fruits only last for like 2 weeks. I grew tomatoes in CA from early March until November.

-40 year CA resident who misses fresh produce year round.

Apples and squashes definitely last for longer than 2 weeks, if you store them properly. And no, Maryland is not too cold outside to provide produce year round. Have you been to farmers' markets?

There is no farmers market year round.

And I was referring to picking the fruit off of trees. The fruit is only ripe for like 2 weeks before they start to become overripe or drop.

https://www.centralfarmmarkets.com/bethesda

what kind of locally grown produce do they have at that farmers market? Where are they growing berries, tomatoes in the winter? Is there a hothouse?

The only vegetables that grows in January/February in maryland are mushrooms. radishes and peas.. Rye, barley, and other cereal grains are planted for Fall/Winter.

Here is a list of what is grown by month, but it's not all inclusive.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/maryland-season...d-vegetables-2217184

Right, I like to eat more than mushrooms, radishes and peas in the winter.

We are importing almost all of our fruits from either another state or from Latin America.