Food Resilience Working Group
Strengthening local food production for climate resilience in Montgomery County.
Who We Are
The Food Resilience Working Group of the Climate Coalition Montgomery County is dedicated to protecting local food security in the face of a changing climate. We build regional awareness of food vulnerabilities and mobilize community and government action across Montgomery County.
Our Mission: To prepare our region for climate change impacts by expanding the production of and access to locally grown, nutritious food.
Our Roots: Founded in 2023 under the Climate Coalition Montgomery County, our initiative grew out of county-wide climate planning discussions on soil health, food security, and agricultural resilience.
Red Wiggler Care Farm, Montgomery County
The Challenge: Why Local Food Resilience Matters
Many critical climate decisions need to be made at the local level. While Montgomery County is home to tens of thousands of agricultural acres, our local food system faces urgent vulnerabilities:
Heavy Import Dependence: Maryland produces less than 10% of the vegetables residents consume, and less than 6% of Maryland-grown vegetables are green vegetables. In Montgomery County, roughly 1% of harvested cropland is dedicated to vegetables.
Disruption Risks: Because we rely so heavily on distant supply chains, severe weather, energy-price shocks, and supply disruptions hundreds of miles away quickly become Montgomery County food emergencies.
A Shrinking Farmer Pipeline: The metropolitan Washington region has lost over 50% of its farmland since 1945. Today, the average Montgomery County farm operator is 57.5 years old, highlighting an urgent need to support the next generation of growers.
Koiner Farm, Montgomery County
Our Priorities: Education, Policy, and Action
We collaborate with the Montgomery County Council, county agencies, and regional stakeholders to build a sustainable, equitable food system:
Education: Educating elected leaders and the public on the looming food vulnerabilities and challenges.
Policy: Working with elected leaders to support climate-smart food policy initiatives like regional procurement challenges, and supporting food processing and aggregation facilities for smaller farms.
Action: Establishing a farm incubator to provide beginning farmers with affordable land access, shared infrastructure and equipment, mentorship, and market connections.
Farmland as Climate Infrastructure: Agricultural land does more than supply food—it is vital to the climate and water infrastructure. Through regenerative soil health practices, diverse crops, and cover cropping, well-managed farmland cools local landscapes, absorbs intense rainfall, captures carbon, and builds community resilience against drought and extreme heat.
Real change happens when community members come together and turn shared ideas into collective action!
Join Our Weekly Meetings: We meet virtually every Tuesday on Zoom from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Contact Us: Have questions, ideas, or want to support our farm incubator initiative?
Connect with Philip Bogdonoff at pbogdonoff@gmail.com
Three Sisters Urban Farm, Montgomery County
Key Resources
Our Unfolding Food Emergency (PLENTY Magazine, Autumn Harvest 2023)
Why It Is Urgent to Re-localize Table-Crop Production (FRWG Paper)
Maryland Climate-Smart Agriculture Roadmap (Hughes Center & UMD)
Mid-Atlantic Food System Stress Report (FRWG Report)