Montgomery Countryside Alliance

What Montgomery Countryside Alliance does

Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Poolesville, Maryland, whose mission is to preserve Montgomery County's 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve and promote sustainable agriculture. The organization was originally formed to oppose a Potomac River bridge crossing that would have bisected the Reserve, and has since evolved into the principal community advocacy body for the Reserve's protection. With a stated staff of two, MCA operates as a lean, coalition-driven nonprofit that pairs grassroots organizing with formal regulatory and legal advocacy.

MCA's core programmatic offerings include Land Link (connecting new and expanding farmers with landowners for long-term leases), the New Farmer Program (mentoring and training, originally launched with U.S. Small Business Administration funding in 2012), and Producer Resources supporting local food systems. The organization produces educational media, including the 2014 "Growing Legacy" documentary film and the "Rooted in the Reserve" podcast, and runs community events such as Ride for the Reserve and the Royce Hanson Award. MCA engages in regulatory advocacy across zoning, planning, environmental protection, water resources, and most recently data center permitting, having supported a two-year moratorium on data center development.

MCA's revenue model combines annual memberships starting at $25, recurring sustainer donations via PayPal, individual donations, grants from foundations and government sources, and merchandise sales through its Buy MCA Gear program. The organization is funded by a diversified base of local individual supporters, foundation sponsors (including the Kiplinger, Kay Family, Ithaka, Elmo, Meditch Murphy, and Stronghold foundations), and corporate sponsors such as Northlane Capital Partners. MCA relies on a board of directors, a volunteer and outreach coordinator, and a coalition of 30+ partner organizations to execute its mission at a scale disproportionate to its small paid headcount.

Name

Montgomery Countryside Alliance

Legal name

Montgomery Countryside Alliance

Website

https://mocoalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montgomery Countryside Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that preserves Montgomery County, Maryland's 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve and supports sustainable agriculture through farmer programs, advocacy, and community education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Land Preservation Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Farmland preservation
• Agricultural advocacy
• Land link program
• New farmer training
• Nonprofit conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Poolesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership starting at $25, with sustainer (recurring monthly donation) options available through PayPal.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from local individuals passionate about sustaining agriculture and open space in Montgomery County.
3. Grants: Funding through grants including support for the Good Gift Project (well and septic education) funded through specific grants and supporters.
4. Merchandise Sales: MCA Gear merchandise sales through the Buy MCA Gear program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Montgomery Countryside Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves the 93,000-acre Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve through advocacy, community organizing, and direct farmer support programs. It runs the Land Link program (matching farmers with landowners for long-term leases), the New Farmer Program (mentoring and training), agricultural education initiatives, and produces the "Growing Legacy" documentary film and "Rooted in the Reserve" podcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Link Program Program that connects new and expanding farmers with local landowners offering long-term leases to grow the next generation of farmers in the Agricultural Reserve. For farmers seeking land access and landowners seeking to keep their land in agricultural use.
• New Farmer Pilot Program Mentoring and training program for new farmers, launched in 2012 with U.S. Small Business Administration funding. Designed to support new and beginning farmers in establishing sustainable agricultural operations in the Ag Reserve.
• Annual Membership Annual membership program starting at $25 for individuals supporting MCA's mission of preserving farmland and promoting sustainable agriculture in Montgomery County. Members receive advocacy alerts and access to community events.
• Buy MCA Gear Merchandise Branded merchandise program offering MCA Gear for purchase through the organization's website to support fundraising and mission awareness.
• Growing Legacy Documentary Film Documentary film about the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve released in 2014, produced with support from foundations including The Kay Family Foundation and The Ithaka Foundation. Aims to educate audiences about the history and importance of the Ag Reserve.
• Rooted in the Reserve Podcast Podcast produced by MCA covering stories, people, and issues related to the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve.
• Good Fences Grant Grant program supporting farmers in the Agricultural Reserve, providing funding for fencing and related agricultural infrastructure needs.
• Ride for Reserve Event Annual cycling event held in the Agricultural Reserve to raise awareness and funds for farmland preservation efforts.
• Royce Hanson Award Annual award presented by MCA honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve.
• Re-Leaf the Reserve Program Program that enables landowners in the Agricultural Reserve to host forest plantings on their properties, supporting reforestation and environmental conservation.
• MoCo Groundwater Campaign Advocacy campaign focused on groundwater protection and water resource conservation in Montgomery County, including well and septic education through the Good Gift Project.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93,000 acres of farmland preserved in the Agricultural Reserve, just 30 minutes from downtown DC
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Heritage MontgomeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting Montgomery County heritage and agricultural preservation efforts.
• Sugarloaf Citizens AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time partner in advocacy efforts including data center opposition, Global Mission Mega Church legal challenges, and protection of the Ag Reserve.
• Friends of Ten Mile CreekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey coalition partner in protecting Ten Mile Creek and Little Seneca Reservoir (backup water supply for 4.3 million residents). MCA co-leads advocacy efforts.
• Montgomery County Office of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing agricultural services, supporting New Farmer Program, and farmland preservation efforts.
• Community Food RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCA joined the Community Food Rescue team to develop a coordinated food recovery system, linking farms with food donation needs.
• Montgomery County Food CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCA helped found the MoCo Food Council, working on local food system issues.
• Future Harvest-Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner working on sustainable agriculture across the Chesapeake area.
• MoCo Climate CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in data center moratorium advocacy efforts; partnered on webinars about data center regulations.
• Button Farm Living History CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on agricultural history and heritage; Tony Cohen received MCA's Royce Hanson Award.
• Historic Medley District, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner preserving local history including the Seneca Schoolhouse and Sugarland Community history.
• Black Rock Center for the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner in Montgomery County supporting arts in the region.
• Manna Food CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partner; MCA connects local farms with food donation needs through Community Food Rescue.
• Bethesda GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partner focused on sustainability in the Bethesda area.
• Conservation MontgomeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on conservation issues in Montgomery County.
• PLENTY MagazineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural publication partner providing content about local farming and food systems.
• Montgomery County Green BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on green financing and sustainability initiatives.
• MD Environmental TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner focused on environmental protection and conservation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Land Trust Alliance: National membership organization supporting land trusts across the U.S. Comparable to MCA as a convener and advocacy voice for land conservation, though at a national scope.
• American Farmland Trust: National nonprofit dedicated to farmland preservation and sustainable agriculture. Comparable to MCA in mission (farmland protection) but operates at a much larger national scale rather than a single county.
• Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that combines conservation with economic development and land acquisition. Comparable to MCA's preservation focus but with a national, multi-program mandate.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that protects land for public use, including working lands and parks. Comparable to MCA in preservation mission but operates nationally with much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Piedmont Environmental Council: Regional nonprofit focused on land conservation, rural economy, and advocacy in Virginia's Piedmont. Closely comparable to MCA in mission, structure (advocacy + landowner programs), and rural-suburban geographic context.
• Catoctin Land Trust: Regional Maryland land trust protecting farmland, forests, and watersheds near the Montgomery County/Frederick County area. Direct peer in geography and conservation focus.
• Accokeek Foundation: Maryland-based nonprofit focused on preserving agricultural heritage and supporting sustainable farming at a heritage site. Comparable to MCA in regional agricultural preservation and education.
• Montgomery County Food Council: Local food system nonprofit co-founded by MCA. Comparable in geographic focus and mission alignment around local food, farmland, and producer support.
• Future Harvest — Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture: Regional nonprofit supporting sustainable agriculture across the Chesapeake region. Already a partner of MCA, with overlapping farmer support and advocacy programs.

Emerging players

• Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation: State-level nonprofit promoting agricultural literacy and education. Comparable to MCA's agricultural education component, though broader in scope and curriculum-focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MoCoAlliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montgomery-and-countryside

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montgomery Countryside Alliance