Ag Reserve study group is named

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

The members of the county’s new Ad Hoc Agricultural Policy Working Group have been announced and will soon begin work on a comprehensive look at issues in the Agricultural Reserve.

The County Council announced formation of the study group last month after being asked to consider several Ag Reserve issues piecemeal. Councilmembers decided the better approach would be to have the interrelated issues — such as Rural Density Transfer zone legislation, child lots and sand-mound septic systems — evaluated simultaneously.

Nearly 60 county residents applied to be appointed to the working group, which has 15 members.

Jane Evans, a Laytonsville grain farmer, is excited to have been chosen.

‘‘There are a number of complex issues relating to the Ag Reserve’s viability and they need to be looked at in an interrelated way,” she said. ‘‘That is why the group was formed. ... The Ag Reserve is more than just a pretty place. It is important to all Montgomery County citizens for their well being and economy.”

Working group members range from farmers and orchard owners to citizen activists and leaders of advocacy groups. But they will only represent themselves on the group, not their organizations.