This article is featured in our 2019 Annual Report.
Throughout 2019, the Urban Agricultural Conservation (UAC) program staff connected with aspiring, current, and new urban farmers in Prince George’s County. It was important for the District to learn more about the opportunities, challenges, and needs of the County’s urban farmers — some of which include the expanded urban farm definition and the urban agricultural property tax credit. These challenges vary, but like their rural counterparts, urban farmers have difficulty accessing land and infrastructure as they explore season extension. In addition to having limited knowledge of regulations, they face challenges in finding effective ways to manage pests, wildlife, and weed pressures, as well as securing funding for various aspects of their enterprises.
The UAC program provided technical assistance to 23 urban farmers and 27 stakeholders, all of whom are interested in supporting urban agriculture initiatives in Prince George’s County. Technical assistance consisted of the following:
- Assisted with a high-tunnel certification for an urban cut flower farm
- Collecting soil samples
- Soil testing training
- Introducing soil health practices
- Sharing business planning, marketing, and funding resources
- Providing letters of support for grants
- Navigating the new urban farm zoning and definition legislation
In order to expand urban agriculture opportunities both locally and regionally, the UAC program worked with local and regional stakeholders such as:
- ECO City Farms
- Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
- Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission
- PGC Food Equity Council
- PGC Council and Government
- PGC Public School System
We would also like to give a special acknowledgment to the USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS has entered into a contribution agreement with the District to help fund specific portions of the UAC program!
One of the most exciting initiatives in 2019 was the development of a Soil Health Badge with ECO City Farms’s Introduction to Urban Commercial Agriculture certificate program at Prince George’s Community College. The District also committed to assisting ECO City Farms with recruiting soil health speakers for its 2020 Beginning Farmer Training Program.
Lastly, the District worked with Doug Adams of New Brooklyn Farms, County Council members, and the Food Equity Council on two pieces of legislation promoting the expansion of urban farming in Prince George’s County. Thanks to CB-14-2019 and CR-78-2019, 79% of the county is now zoned for urban agriculture. Along with the traditional in-ground or raised-bed cultivation of produce, mushrooms, cut-flowers, and beekeeping, the CB-14 legislation allows for rooftop farming and Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) operations such as aquaponics and hydroponics.
The District is committed to promoting soil and water conservation practices, sharing resources, and connecting urban farmers to funding and land opportunities. The District looks forward to supporting the County’s budding urban farm enterprises and helping them to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater runoff and soil erosion while improving soil health, biodiversity, and water quality in our peri-urban communities.
