1. Jeremy V. Criss Montgomery County Office of Agriculture Director
Spring Agr Leaders Forum
Jeremy V. Criss Montgomery County Office of Agriculture Director
Photo courtesy of Lee Lanstaff

2. The County Population - 1 million people
Diverse
Growing
Built-out
Redevelopment
Diverse: Rural, urban, and suburban. Minorities now account for more than half of the Moco population.
Growing: Between , the County will add an estimated 78,000 households and 167,000 new jobs. Shifting market demands
Built-out: Few “greenfield” sites left to develop means our code needs to better address infill
Unwieldy: pages, 120 zones, 400+ footnotes, and 400+ uses
Outdated: Too much parking required for many uses, very large sites often required for redevelopment, zones never mapped, separation of uses
Complicated: Confusing legal language, many very similar zones, 400+ footnotes, inconsistency in process and terminology 2

4. Status of Agriculture
Agricultural activities occupy about 1/3 of the County’s land area.
540 Farms
Over 45,000 acres in commodities (Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, etc.)
219 farms produce table food
783 equestrian properties
350 Horticultural Businesses
Responsible for more than $287 million in economic contribution and employs more than 10,000 residents.

5. Do farmers and 4-H children show Performance Animals as part of their 4-H livestock shows at County and State Agricultural Fairs?
Do farmers and 4-H children raise, breed and care for Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Animals?
Do farmers and 4-H families transport animals to livestock shows, livestock auctions and other related events as part of a Traveling Animal Act?

6. Jeremy V. Criss Office of Agriculture Director
Questions?
Jeremy V. Criss Office of Agriculture Director