The Montgomery Countryside Alliance presented Tony Cohen with their Royce Hanson award on Sunday. The award honors individuals who have made personal contributions and demonstrated outstanding dedication to preserving culture and agriculture in the Agricultural Reserve in the Germantown and Frederick areas.

Cohen , a longtime Montgomery County resident and the historian who revived Button Farm and Living History Center, is renowned for recreating routes of the underground railroads used by slaved fleeing to freedom. Button Farm comprises a 40-acre community-supported agricultural organic farm and property leased from Montgomery County.

Cohen said he was 'completely surprised' by the award but also noted that he would have been doing what he did, with or without the recognition. He said was passionate about being able to create a facility that draws the community and brings people together.

By revamping the farm, Cohen said he wanted to start a living history center where people could experience what 1850s plantation life was like. The history center provides a variety of hand-on programs surrounding the experiences of 1850s plantation life. He said the award was a 'confirmation and a green light' to keep doing what he is doing.

"The Montgomery Countryside Alliance felt that the work we were doing here on the farm is just really positive and a great example of what the (Agricultural) reserve can be," he said.

Montgomery Countryside Alliance executive president Caroline Taylor said community-supported agricultural ventures like Button Farm are important because America is in danger of losing its food supply. She said it is important to know where your food came from, as America loses acres and acres of farmland every day. Taylor added that she feels Cohen embodies all the characteristics they look for in recipients of the Royce Hanson awared.

"He is the energizer bunny for bringing history to life," she said.  "One of his quotes and my favorite is 'have your history and eat it too.'"

Dr. Royce Hanson, for whom the award is named, was the architect of the Agricultural Reserve that set aside land for farms and open spaces in the Montgomery County in 1980. He explained there were no monetary rewards or social obligations tied to the award.

"It is a recognition for the kind of work that they (recipients) have done," he said.

Cohen hopes to partner with other farms and preservation groups to raise awareness. He is the founder of Menare Foundation which seeks to preserve the legacy of underground rail roads and sites.