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January 2016
"Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education."
- Mark Twain
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FRESH.
Winter Farmers Markets & Food Drops
Greenbelt Farmers Market
Vendors from the Greenbelt Farmers Market will organize food drops the 3rd Sunday of every month through April. Vendors include Ferguson Family Farms (meat), Shlagel Farms (produce) and Three Springs Fruit Farm. Ferguson Family Farm will arrange drops on the 1st Sunday of the month as well. Subscribe to the Greenbelt Farmers Market newsletter via their homepage for more information.
Riverdale Park Farmers Market
Join the Riverdale Park Farmers Market each Thursday, 3 to 7p
m. Enjoy local music, kids activities, great farmers market vendors and other artisans. The indoor market is located at 4650 Queensbury Rd, Riverdale Park, Maryland 20737. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Their January music schedule is as follows:
- 1/7/16: Up Hill River
- 1/14/16: Miles Spicer
- 1/21/16: Blue Plains
- 1/28/16: Audrey Engdahl
- 2/4/16: Michael Sevener
Uncle Sam Will Finally Let Your SNAP Benefits Go Toward a CSA Share
 The very thing that makes the community supported agriculture model a boon for farmers-customers pay for the whole season up front, enabling growers to purchase seeds, tools, and other supplies-has rendered CSA programs inaccessible to many low-income Americans, who typically don't have several hundred dollars to spend all at once. But thanks to new language in last year's Farm Bill, things are changing. Before the passage of the 2014 bill, farmers were able to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, but USDA regulations required that payments be credited weekly, at the point of pickup. Not only did that rob farmers of early-season buying power; it also cost them hours spent processing the transactions each week (SNAP works on an electronic debit system). Read more....
- Hannah Wallace, Modern Farmer
Find the full list of county markets from the 2015 season here. We will update the directory for the 2016 season later this spring. You are also welcome to print out our downloadable directory! Note that the most updated version is on the website.
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Conquer the Winter Blues with Romano Vineyard & Winery
The Romanos welcome you to join them for a tasting and open house every Saturday, noon to 5pm. For more information, visit their
website and Facebook
page.
Bread & Cheese Making Classes with P.A. Bowen Farmstead
P.A. Bowen Farmstead
is offering a bread making class at at the farm later this month. Be sure to watch their Facebook
page
for dates and registration details.
Also, join them for a cheese, charcuterie (Meatcrafters) and beer pairing event at Hellbender Brewing Company in DC on Wednesday, January 28th from 6:30-8:30. Visit Hellbender's Facebook page for registration and other details.
 Alpaca Gifts for the Winter
Now that the Holidays are over, the winter weather is kicking into high gear. If you haven't had the opportunity to stock up on warm clothing for the season, stop by one of our alpaca farms and gifts shops in Prince George's County. You will be glad you did!
Some farms have scheduled open houses, while others are operating by appointment only during the winter months. P
ease visit their websites for details.
Visit the calendar on the Prince George's County 'Fresh. Local. Fun.' website for information about more local farm and food events!
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FUN.
Grow & Paint with the Accokeek Foundation
Grow Your Own Asparagus
 The Accokeek Foundation will be offering mature asparagus crowns to growers interested in adding this delicious, vitamin-packed, spring crop to their home gardens or farm operations. Join Ecosystem Farm manager for a Asparagus Digging Workshop on Saturday, January 9 from 9 am to 1 pm to learn about growing asparagus while digging up roots to take home. Participants should bring a spading/digging fork, sturdy shoes, and a water bottle. The Accokeek Foundation's Ecosystem Farm is located at 3400 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD 20607. $10 per participant (Free for Foundation members and volunteers). To RSVP email Daniel Trott at
[email protected] or call 301-283-2113.
Paint Nite: Cherry Blossom Birds
This Valentine's Day, love is for the birds at the Accokeek Foundation! Join them on Thursday, February 11 from 7-9 pm for a Paint Nite fundraiser benefiting the Foundation's Bluebird Monitoring program. Enjoy snacks and cocktails, and a lot of fun while learning how to paint these beautiful native birds. $15 of every ticket sold goes directly to purchasing supplies for building new cavity nest boxes, replacing predator guards, and equipping the Bluebird Monitors with the tools they need to safely monitor their trail of 20 nest boxes. Some snacks and drinks provided but feel free to BYOB. 21+ only please.
Purchase tickets online by January 25, 2016. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No walk-ins. Questions? Email Casey Lowe at
[email protected] or call 301-283-2113. Reserve your tickets
here.
Prince George's County Food Study
ECO City Farms Offers Community Herbalism Wellness Series
 The science and art of using plants and foods for building and maintaining good health and for healing reaches back to the very beginning of recorded history. The practice of growing, harvesting, and making of herbal products to achieve wellness connects us to Traditional Chinese, Ayurveda, Native American and Western medicinal practices. ECO has recently significantly increased the variety and amounts of herbs and spices grown at our farms to better serve the needs and palates of our community.
Pre-registration is required. Please contact [email protected] or 443-447-0313 to register or with any questions.
Cost: $50 each class, materials fee included. ($130 for the 3 classes series prepaid). Registration is non-refundable but is transferable. Please note: No one will be turned away for lack of funds. We offer a sliding fee scale discount, if needed.
Date & Time: All classes are on a Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 7: 30pm
The Spices of Life (Tuesday, January 23), Your Kitchen Apothecary (Tuesday, March 8), Healthy Flavors and Seasonings (Tuesday, March 22).
Herbs for the Seasons: Spring and Summer (Tuesday, April 5), Planning your Herb Garden at Home (Tuesday, April 19), Growing, Harvesting & Preserving Herbs for Home Use (Tuesday, May 3).
For more information, refer to the flyer or visit the website.
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Farm Open House
Cabin Creek Heritage Farm
Cabin Creek is a local, pasture-based, sustainable family farm. They offer woodland-raised Berkshire pork, pulled Berkshire pork BBQ, pastured rabbit, Coturnix quail and quail eggs.
Also plan to check out their pastured chicken and eggs (pastured, corn/soy-free). Store hours are on Saturdays and by appointment.
Location:
18235 Clagett Landing Road,
Upper Marlboro
Visit their
website for Open House hours and details.
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Food Equity Council Meeting
January 14
3:30-5:30pm
Interested in food security issues in Prince George's County? Join the
Food Equity Council next Thursday at Busboys & Poets in Hyattsville.
Visit their
website for more information.
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Future Harvest CASA
Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed
One of the Region's Largest Farm and Food Gatherings!
Interact
during pre-conference, skill-building workshops for farmers and food lovers alike
Experience
SEVEN conference tracks - something for everyone!
Enjoy
Interest Gatherings, Local Fare Fair, Chesapeake Farm Dinner and a Photo Contest!
THREE Keynote Speakers
Ricardo Salvador
, Union of Concerned Scientists
Chef Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve
Natasha Bowens, The Color of Food
Visit their website for more information.
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Buyer- Grower Expo
January 20, 2016
10am - 2pm
The Maryland Department of Agriculture would like to invite you to the 2016 Maryland Buyer-Grower Expo on January 20 at the Navy-Marine Corps. Stadium - "N" Room in Annapolis, MD. The purpose of this expo is to connect MD growers, producers, and processors with buyers from grocery retailers, restaurants, schools, and other venues.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Chocolate Lovers Tea at
Montpelier Mansion
Saturday, February 13, 1:30pm
Bring someone special - including yourself! - to an elegant tea starring that most heavenly of confections: chocolate! A lovely way to celebrate the sweetness of food, friends and family. We'll also serve a prix fixe menu of fine finger sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and pastries, buttery scones, and your choice of two quality loose leaf teas, all served on china and tiered stands.
Reservations and advance payment required.
$29 per person, $25 for members of Friends of Montpelier. Price includes gratuity and self-guided tour of the mansion.
Reservations required by Wednesday, February 10! Call 301-377-7817 (no e-mail reservations please)
Location: Montpelier Mansion
9650 Muirkirk Road (Muirkirk Road at Route 197) Laurel, Maryland 20708
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Marietta House Museum Events
January & February, 2016
19th Century Winter Visitor Tour, Saturday, January 23, 1pm. - 4pm.
Please join us for a special winter tour of Marietta House Museum. Have a cup of hot cider and hear tales of 19th century winter travel, and how travelers kept warm in carriages and coaches. $3/person; 5 & under free.
First Ladies Tea
, Saturday, February 20, 2pm. From Martha Washington to Michele Obama, the First Ladies have been hosting various teas, luncheons, and events. Join us for tea and a variety of recipes from some of our First Ladies. Guests will be seated in the historic rooms of the home. Reservations required and space is limited. Fee: $25/person
Location:
5626 Bell Station Road, Glenn Dale, MD. 20769.
Contact: 301-464-5291
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Maryland Organic Food & Farming Association (MOFFA)
WINTER MEETING
February 20, 2016
(Snow Date February 27)
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD
Information for farmers and gardeners in search of new ideas, techniques, & inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food.
Presentations, Panels and Workshops
Join farmers, consumers, advocates, and National Organic Program members to:
- Bring home information you can really use
- Add your voice to discussions about nutrition and agriculture, climate change, soil and sustainable organic farming and gardening.
- Network with some of the pioneers of the organic food movement
Homegrown 'Eat Local' Potluck Lunch
- One of the highlights of the meeting
- Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!
Seed Swap ~ Silent Auction ~ Display Tables
Only $5 for members and $20 for non-members
For more information visit:
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MDA's Produce Seasonality Charts
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Do you have an interesting idea or event that you would like to share in the newsletter or even an interest in contributing an article?
Have you enjoyed a tasty, locally-made dish or treat in Prince George's County?
Did you have a phenomenal experience at one of our County's farm destinations or farmers markets?
If you answered yes to any of these, we'd love to hear from you! Send us an email or call us at 301.868.8780.
Warmly,
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Prince George's County Farms & Food Newsletter and pgcountyfarmfun.com are both published by the Agriculture Marketing Consultant of the University of Maryland, Prince George's County. University of Maryland Extension is a statewide educational organization funded by federal, state, and local governments. Our mission is to support Maryland's agricultural industry; protect its valuable natural resources; enhance the well-being of families and individuals, both young and old; and foster the development of strong, stable communities. University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.
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M-NCPPC released a new food system study, "
