ECO City Farms ECO City Farms

January 2016

 

Happy 2016 from ECO City Farms!

Thank you to those volunteers and donors who have contributed to ECO in 2015! We are grateful for your help and support this past year and looking forward to a prosperous new year full of accomplishments and fresh greens!

With the beginning of 2016, we are happy to welcome Fred James to the ECO City Farms Team. Fred will be taking the position as our new Bladensburg Farm Manager.
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Greetings Friends of ECO!

My name is Fred and I'll be taking over for Colin as the Bladensburg Farm Manager. I grew up in a small rural area in Alabama and have been gardening most of my life. I'm  passionate about farming and very excited to share with others to help them discover the joys of growing food!

I'm also a musician. I play a few different instruments but my favorites are the drums and guitar. I love to travel and eat. 

I am already learning a lot. I love working at ECO City Farms and growing great produce!

-Fred
In this months newsletter...
Community Herbal Wellness Series- Begins Jan 2016
Free Cooking Classes- English & Spanish Sessions
ECO Spring/Summer Internships & Apprenticeships
Resource Navigator at VITA Training Sessions
Indoor Farmers Market: Thursdays 3-7pm
Community Herbal 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.


Beginning in January, we invite you to join one of our classes to learn more about the ancient and contemporary art and ­science of herbalism. 

Pre-registration is required. Please contact [email protected] or 443-447-0313 to register or with any questions.

We'll be offering $10 off of the Friday, January 22nd workshop for those that register before Tuesday, January 19th!!

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 6:30 pm to 8:00pm

Part 1: Gastrointestinal System Support (Tuesday, January 5), How to Use Herbs to Support Healthy Weight Management ( Friday, January 22-Rescheduled),  Discussion About Diabetes and Latest Research on Herbs ( Tuesday, February 2).

Part 2:  The Spices of Life (Tuesday, February 23), Your Kitchen Apothecary (Tuesday, March 8), Healthy Flavors and Seasonings (Tuesday, March 22).

Part 3:  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).

Visit our WEBSITE for a full description of each class.
Free Cooking Classes/Clases de cocina gratuitas!
We will teach you how to prepare nutritious and affordable meals! In these classes you will learn how to:
  • Prepare delicious, healthy meals
  • Use new foods and cooking techniques
  • Make the most of your food resources
  • Shop for healthy foods on a tight budget
Location: Town of Colmar Manor Community Center
3701 Lawrence St. Colmar Manor, MD 20722

Dates & Times: English Classes
Wednesday, January 27th - 7:00 
to 8:30pm
Wednesday, February 17th - 7:00 to 8:30pm
Monday, March 7th - 7:00 to 8:30pm
Monday, March 14th - 7:00 to 8:30pm

Fechas y horas: Español
Monday, February 8th - 7:00 to 8:30pm
Monday, February 22nd - 7:00 to 8:30pm
Wednesday, March 16th - 7:00 to 8:30pm
Wednesday, March 30th - 7:00 to 8:30pm

Sign up today! Space is limited!

For more information or to register, Colmar Manor Town Hall at 301-277-4920 or [email protected].

Brought to you by: Port Towns Community Health Partnership, ECO City Farms and the Town of Colmar Manor.

Visit our Upcoming Events page.
Internship & Apprenticeship Opportunity
 
Be on the look out for the announcement of the open call for interns and apprentices for the Spring/Summer season! Next month we will be accepting applications for our Spring/Summer season,  March to September, for both the Edmonston Farm and the Bladensburg Farm. 

Learn first-hand about the inner workings of and urban farm alongside our farm managers and staff. L earn more about this opportunity and how to apply on our WEBSITE.
Become a Resource Navigator at VITA
Be a Resource Navigators at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in Montgomery County this tax season!

Since 2012, Maryland Hunger Solutions has partnered with the Montgomery County Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, part of the Department of Health & Human Services, to help Montgomery  County  residents access the Food Supplement Program (FSP, formerly food stamps) and learn about other food resources.  

The goal of this partnership is to connect VITA customers with food resources since many low-to-moderate income families are not aware of their eligibility for such programs.  The  work of the volunteer Resource Navigators helps to increase the economic and food security of community members served by VITA, while promoting knowledge of these resources throughout the County.
             
Join a Resource Navigator training session and learn how you can provide families with the information they need to put groceries on the  table .

Training Session Info:
Silver Spring: The TESS Center, 8513 Piney Branch Road
Training Session: Wednesday January 20, 2016 from 6-8 PM

Gaithersburg: Family Services Inc., 620 East Diamond Ave.
Training Session: Friday February 5, 2016 from 6-8 p.m.

Questions? Call Rachel Tucker at 410-528-0021 ext. 23.
Riverdale Park Farmers Market
Thursdays 3-7pm

ECO has a regular farm stand at the year-round 
Riverdale Park Farmers Market . The market has moved indoors for the season.  Enjoy the live music and conversation. Come visit our stand and chat with farmer Emily about what's in season and share your yummy recipes with Amanda. 

The Riverdale Park Farmers Market is  located in the MARC train station parking lot (4650 Queensbury Road Riverdale Park, MD 20737).
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ECO City Farms ECO City Farms

www.facebook.com/ECOCityFarms |

www.ecocityfarms.org |[email protected] 

Office: 6010 Taylor Road, Riverdale, Md., 20737

Edmonston Farm: 

4913 Crittenden St., Edmonston, Md. 20781
Bladensburg Farm: 

6100 Emerson St., Bladensburg, Md. 20710