Crop Talk March 18, 2015: Peeps and Shamrocks

Crop Talk

The Newsletter of Great Country Farms
March 18, 2015: Peeps and Shamrocks

March 2015

Those are crocuses, not daffodils, and that's the bed beside the

market, not the path to the woodpile, but they're a welcome sight.

When yellow blossoms like that start to appear, asparagus can't be far behind. W e open for the season in 10 days.

In This Issue

Got Peeps?

We'd just like to point out that you don't have to be a kid to like baby chicks. Grown-ups like them, too. So do dogs.

Our Peep Program allows you and your children and your dog to get acquainted with the creatures that gave the world that enduring dilemma: "Which came first...?" The best way to find the answer that question is to add baby chicks to your household. S upplies are limited, so order soon.

New Additions

We're still compiling a list of members who might be interested in adding meat, cheese or wheatgrass to their CSA pick-up shares. The cheese comes from Georges Mill Farm , and the meat comes from Spring House Farm .

We grow the wheatgrass right here in our green house, and some of us are becoming truly enamored of the stuff. For a glimpse of how wheatgrass might effect your exercise routine, take a look at the latest post on Barn Talk. If you'd like us to reserve a flat for you each week, send us an email and let us know.

Be advised that these additions are available only for pick-up at the farm . They cannot be delivered.

2015 Inaugural Bluemont Shamrock 5k/10k

Come run with the luck of the Irish in one of the most picturesque areas of Northern Virginia. The out and back course winds through the scenic country roads of beautiful Western Loudoun County. Offering both 5k and 10k distances, this race has something for everyone. Bring the whole family to enjoy food, refreshments and FUN, including a Leprechaun Chase for the kids. The race will benefit The Bluemont Community Center.

220 Runners Already Registered!

Cider Doughnuts Available!

Visit us at Best of Loudoun Bazaar

Nearly 70 winners of this year's "Best of Loudoun" readers' poll, sponsored by Leesburg Today, will participate in the first Best of Loudoun Bazaar on Saturday, March 21, at the Village at Leesburg.

The free family-friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with winning businesses and organizations exhibiting in two locations at the Village, 1603 Village Market Blvd.: Suite 100 and Suite 116. The event also will include entertainment, food samples, and opportunities for attendees to win prizes.

Read more here.

About Sustainable Agriculture

New Film Explores Loss of Seed Diversity

From Modern Farmer

By Su Avasthi

Few things are more essential to our survival than seeds, yet few things are taken more for granted.Filmmaker M. Sean Kaminsky's new documentary Open Sesame looks at the necessity for seed diversity and how monoculture-farming practices threaten it. In the past century, we've lost an astonishing 90 percent of the fruit and vegetable seeds once available. Instead, the world's food supply is built largely on hybrid seeds, and like mules, they are unable to naturally reproduce. As a result, there's no way for a species to evolve regional hardiness, or withstand pests, diseases and changing climate conditions.

Open Sesame - The Story of Seeds WATCH AT www.opensesamemovie.com

Open Sesame illuminates what is at stake when seeds are patented and controlled by large corporation, and the film features different approaches that enterprising farmers are using to preserve seeds and foster diversity.