What We Do

SCA tracks proposed zoning changes, land-use and environmental regulations, housing and commercial development projects, and proposed state and county laws that encompass the Ag Reserve or could impact the Ag Reserve and surrounding farming, rural, and open areas. We educate Ag Reserve and county residents about these issues.

We also serve as a community organization for residents of northern Montgomery County, holding events such as garden planning, plant swaps, and informal gatherings. SCA founded and oversees the Piedmont Environmental and Educational Foundation, which awards grants to students and schools to create environmental citizenship, responsibility, and appreciation for the natural world, and to provide opportunities for students to explore nature and educate others with their knowledge.

SCA is the regional citizen organization that advises Montgomery County on the operation of its Yard Trim Composting Facility in Dickerson, MD. This facility processes 62,000 tons of yard waste each year to produce LeafGro, a product sold to gardeners and farmers throughout the county via wholesale intermediaries and commercial outlets.

Our headquarters at Linden Farm encompasses 150 acres in Dickerson, most of it farmland, bisected by Martinsburg Road, designated by Montgomery County as a “Rustic Road.” These historic and scenic roadways reflect the agricultural character and rural origins of our county and are protected under the County’s Rustic Roads Program. In 2020, SCA launched a regenerative agriculture pilot program on part of Linden Farm. With this initiative and others to follow, SCA supports innovative approaches to agriculture that feeds people, heals the soil, and supports ecosystems. In partnership with the county, we manage several buildings on the “homestead,” where the original farmhouse was located, including a beautifully restored historic Gothic barn, where we host events and meetings. The barn can also be rented for events.