Each year, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) partners with Frederick Magazine for Frederick’s Top 50 publication. The 2022 issue, released in January, features Frederick’s Top 50 Under 40. Homegrown Frederick wanted to take a similar approach and highlight the young entrepreneurs and leaders in the agriculture and craft beverage industries. The Homegrown Frederick magazine, released June 1, announces Frederick County’s Top Young Agricultural Professionals. Each week we will be highlighting these individuals so you can get to know them better.
Emma Jagoz, 36, owner of Moon Valley Farm in Woodsboro, is named as one of Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals. Not only that, in January she was recognized as a young leader in the County’s agriculture industry in Frederick’s Top 50 Under 40. She began her journey as a first-generation farmer on borrowed ground in Baltimore County in 2012. Approximately three years ago, Emma moved her operation to Frederick County and Moon Valley Farm has since become a staple and successful agricultural enterprise in the County. Moon Valley Farm operates under a year-round Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) model, producing both standard and specialty organic vegetables and herbs. For more information on signing up for their CSA, visit their website. The farm also grows produce for restaurants around the DMV, seedlings for gardeners, and partners with Farm 2 School Frederick to provide produce to the local school system. Follow along with Moon Valley Farm on Facebook and Instagram to see all that Emma is up to.
There is nothing Emma won’t do on the farm. She oversees all daily farm operations. You can often find her on the tractor doing farm work, leading team meetings, talking with customers and everything in between. Her peers describe Emma as, “the definition of professional leadership in agriculture.” She serves as a mentor to other new farmers across Maryland and partners with local farms to expand Moon Valley Farm’s CSA offerings. Emma is an active participant in Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, and has served as a keynote speaker at their annual conference. Emma says, “Farming organically and regeneratively and stewarding the land responsibly has the power to make a real difference in the health of our waterways and to improve the Chesapeake Bay.” She is committed to doing her part and educating others on the importance of sustainable agriculture practices.
Emma is grateful to be a recipient of The Frederick County Agricultural Innovation Grant. She has received funds for an irrigation system, salad spinner as well as essential upgrades to help Moon Valley Farm become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. The behavioral trait she attributes most to her success is her gratitude. “Every day I take time to list things that I am grateful for and it really helps me put my life and the unexpected things that crop up into perspective. There’s always something to be grateful for if you’re looking,” she says.
We are proud to honor Emma with Moon Valley Farm as one of Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals. The full list can be found here. It is safe to say the local agricultural industry has a bright future ahead with young leaders like her at the helm. Be sure to congratulate her on this well-deserved accolade!