MoCo Mashup: Brief, Key News for County Farmers
Giving gratitude for farmers and farmworkers, whose labor feeds the world.
The Maryland Farm to Institution Workshop was a Success
The May 18 event overviewed Maryland state procurement laws, how to enroll in the Maryland’s Certified Local Farm & Fish Program, the eMMA bid process for selling to public institutions, and showed models for relationships, including how it works at Moon Valley Farm and Honey Moon Farm in Garrett County, and Garrett Growers. We learned about Value-Chain Coordination services offered by CAIC, and we toured 78 Acres Farm, where we learned about apple supply chains.
PFT-FDA Town Halls: Food Traceability Rule Lot-Level Tracking | June 15, 2026, 12:00-2:00pm ET: Challenges and Solutions for Lot-Level Traceability
The FDA final rule on the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (Food Traceability Rule) mandates lot-level tracking for foods on the Food Traceability List. Implementation of lot-level tracking presents a number of operational challenges across the supply chain. PFT and FDA will host two virtual town halls on Food Traceability Rule implementation, to share information on continued implementation of the Food Traceability Rule and areas of remaining concern. Free. Register to speak at least ten days in advance here.
Fox Haven Farm Tour | June 7, 1-3pm, Jefferson, MD
Explore the world of food and conservation-forward agriculture at Fox Haven Farm! What role do farmers play in protecting our streams in the Potomac watershed? Fox Haven Farm staff will show and tell how they manage water and soil responsibly on their farm and shop property. from Market Garden Manager, Matt Wilson. More here.
Tomatoes 101: From Variety Selection to Managing Pests and Disorders | June 9
Women in Agriculture Webinars, Offered on the second Tuesday of every other month. They are FREE and open to all! Register here.
UME Pasture Walk | June 23, 6pm, Keedysville, MD
This pasture walk will feature a mixed-species grazing system with sheep and cattle utilizing both perennial and annual forages to extend the grazing season, pasture renovation, and what to do with failed seedings. More here.
Practical Realities of Building a Regenerative Farm From the Ground Up | June 25, 4-6pm
Farm tour organized by Future Harvest. Harden Family Farms is a small but growing USDA-certified organic regenerative farm in Westminster, Maryland. The farm sits on 22 acres of rolling farmland in Carroll County and has been undergoing an intentional transition toward regenerative and community-focused agriculture. Info here.
Maryland Crop Scouting School | June 25, 9am-2:45pm, Queenstown MD
Hands-on crop scouting training focused on IPM. Learn to identify pests, diseases, and weeds and make better field decisions. This event covers common pests in row crop and vegetable production systems. At Wye Research & Education Center. Cost: $10.00. More here.
CLIMATE NEWS:
- El Niño is Coming: El Niño is currently developing over the Pacific. This means hotter, wetter weather, including heavy downpours, flooding, and derechos. El Niño events tend to develop during the period April-June and tend to reach their maximum strength during October through February.
- USDA Designates Montgomery County as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following Severe Drought: Due to ongoing dry conditions during the growing season, nine counties in Maryland have received drought disaster designations from USDA, including MoCo. See MDA Press Release
Resources
Maryland Beginning Farmer Success Guide
Beginning Farmer Guidebook includes live links and videos with each section.
Value Added Product Fact Sheet
Check out this UMD fact sheet on Value Added, Cottage Foods, Home Processing, etc., to help navigate which certifications you may need. Find it here.
Produce Vendor List
The Montgomery County Food Council maintains a Produce Vendor List for County Food Assistance Providers to purchase local food. If you would like to be added, please contact lorien@mocofoodcouncil.com.=