(4/2022) Every season, I say "ok, now this is my favorite season." But in all honesty, spring might truly be my favorite season here in Frederick County. The mountains look so gorgeous as the green starts to creep back into them, with little pops of pinks and purples from buds and blossoms, plus the forsythia in my yard is in bloom. We’re incredibly fortunate to live in such a beautiful spot.
Part of what makes Frederick County so beautiful, in my opinion, is our numerous farms. Our farmers provide us with so much, and often go unsupported in the political field. My family catering company has been in business for 29 years, and during the 16 years that I’ve taken an active role, we have formed connections with over number of Frederick County farms.
There was a bumper sticker making the rounds several years ago that read "No Farms, No Food." With climate change continuing unabated, one of the repercussions could be a more permanent, or long-lasting drought in California. If that happens, our nation will need to become reliant on different states for our produce, and Maryland’s ecosystem, location, and existing agricultural history make us a prime choice.
Agriculture was Maryland’s first industry, and our most enduring; today, Frederick County alone boasts 1,300 farms, and more than 181,500 acres of farmland. In other words, of our 660 square miles of land, 283 square miles are currently farmed.
Until we have an strong advocate for our local farmers in government, one of the best ways we can support them is financially; be it directly, at farmers markets, or at the Common Market, our community-owned co-operative, which sells goods from 51 local farms and 123 local businesses, as well as several conventional suppliers.
A few of my favorite producers here in District 5 include; Catoctin Mountain Farm, in Sabillasville, where Alison and Nick raise pigs, sheep, sourdough starters, and two sons. Grazy Days Family Farm, in Union Bridge, which is a woman-owned eco-farm. They offer grass-fed beef and lamb, as well as pastured eggs. Catoctin Mountain Farm, a local landmark orchard, who supplies fresh fruit to FCPS year-round, through the Farm to School Lunch Program. (Catoctin Mountain Farm has been in business for so long that there are not only pictures of 4 year old Julianna Lufkin picking apples there, there are pictures of my mother at 4 years old, doing the same thing.)
My campaign would, of course, be very grateful for your donations, but if you would prefer not to donate, please support local farms this spring.
As I said in my previous article, I have chosen the slogan of "Lufkin Listens" so that every constituent of District 5 will know they can find in me a representative who wants to hear the concerns and questions that matter to them. Drop me a line at Lufkin.Listens@gmail.com and let me know your favorite local farms, and any other local issues that you’d like to see me address.
Read other campaign articles by Julianna Lufkin
