My interest in farming started as a kid with trips my family took to the Montgomery County Fair, and trips to Ocean City through the farmland of the Eastern Shore, and attending UMD, although I didn't take any farming classes there.
A long story, but I ended up raising a small herd of dairy goats. This led me to start the Maryland Organic Backyard Initiative with my friend Hillel Goldstein. Two years ago I participated in the New Farmers Pilot Project run by the UMD extension in Derwood.
The success of the Takoma Park Farmers Market in my hometown and the Olney Farmers Market, where my cousin Freddy works, led me to trying my hand at starting a Kosher farmers market with pre-checked vegetables.
In close coordination with Rabbi Yehuda Shain, and the encouragement of Rabbi Dovid Eidensohn, I started the Kemp Mill Farmers Market. The Vaad's granting Hashgacha to the bakery section has taken the Market from dream to reality. The open door policy of the Silver Spring Jewish Center provides the Market with a brick-and-mortar presence in Kemp Mill.
Not the least, the new MD State cottage food regulations expand the way food items can be prepared and sold in a legal fashion without the necessity of having to use a commercial kitchen.
These new regs are the key to our success so far. Let's work together to make this Market a success and show the legislators and regulators that healthy, fresh, local food is what the people of this State want.
Peace,
Joe Orlow
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