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December 2016
"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace."
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FRESH.
Cut Your Own Tree & Make Your Own Wreath!
Linden Hill Christmas Tree Farm
Open Friday through Sunday, 8:30 - 4:30. You can cut your own tree or they will cut for you. Baler, blower and assistance are all free. For more information and for a listing of tree types, visit their
website.
Melwood Horticulture Training Center
Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. They will have a variety of poinsettias and wreaths available. For more information, contact Edward Goodman at 301.599.4570, 4526 or
[email protected].
Miller Farms
Open Monday through Saturday, 8am - 6pm and Sunday, 9am - 5pm. Will have pre-cut trees and poinsettias available. Visit their
website for more information.
The Pines Farm
Open daily, 8am - 5pm. They have
CYO and pre-cut: pine (White), spruce (White/Norway), fir (Fraser). Enjoy cider, hot chocolate and cookies and special gifts for children and adults when you select your trees. Cash or check only. For more information, click here.
Ecoasis Garden Center
Open Monday through Thursday, 7am - 5pm; Friday, 7am - 6pm; Saturday, 8am - 6pm; and Sunday, 10am - 4pm.
Provide pre-cut locally grown trees; fir (Frasier), pine (White), spruce (Blue), more varieties available. Wreaths, roping and table arrangements. For more information, visit their website.
C&E Farms
Open Monday through Thursday by appointment; Friday through Saturday, 8am -4pm.
Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission Releases 2016 Farms for the Holidays Guide
 Be sure to check out the Southern Maryland Ag Development Commission's
'Farms for the Holidays' Guide
.
The full-color brochure showcases over 60 So
uthern Maryland farms and agricultural businesses in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties that offer a wide variety of farm products through the holiday season and winter months.
You can pick up a hard copy at the following locations:
6706 Groveton Drive (Clinton)
(301) 868-8780
5301 Marlboro Race Track Road (Upper Marlboro)
(301) 574-5162
Happy Holidays!
Riverdale Park Farmers Market Festival of Lights Market
Join Riverdale Park Farmers Market for it's Annual Holiday Market on December 17, 12-8pm. This end of the year festival includes all day local music, food, and shopping. Riverdale Park Farmers Market will host its Winter Market on Thursdays, 3 to 7pm, and carry local goodies including Greens, apples, meat, some root veggies, some pastry, bread, and coffee.
For more information on the Holiday Market or weekly Winter Market, check their Facebook page.
Greenbelt Farmers Market Holiday Market
Join the Greenbelt Farmers Market on December 4, 10 am -2 pm
, at the parking lot at 25 Crescent Rd in Greenbelt for their annual holiday market.
The market will have fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood, holiday greenery, baked goods, prepared foods, wine, coffee, pickles and more!
This special market is held in conjunction with Greenbelt's Festival of Lights Juried Art and Craft Fair in the Greenbelt Community Center next door at 15 Crescent Rd.
Winter drops from some of your favorite market vendors begins in January. Check out the website for more information.
Visit www.pgcountyfarmfun.com for a listing of farms and farmers markets you can visit with your friends and family!
Find the full list of county farmers markets here.
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Holiday Farm Tours
Cabin Creek Heritage Farm
Join Cabin Creek Heritage Farm this Holiday Season for farm tours. The self-guided walking tours are held every Saturday, 10am to 1pm or by appointment. Learn about sustainable local farming practices at your own pace. You will see their Berkshire hog breeding operation and how they raise their woodland pork. Learn about Barbados hair sheep, their chicken egg-laying operation and visit their American Blue rabbitry. After your tour, a farmer will be available to answer any questions.
Visit their
website for more information and a list of products for purchase.
P.A. Bowen Farmstead
The farm will provide tours on Saturdays at 11am or by appointment. Their tours are a true learning experience in pasture and livestock management. You will see the dairy operation, learn about cheese making and visit pigs, chickens and cows. The tours are a minimum of one and half hours.
Visit their
website for more information.
ECO City Farms Recruiting for
SEED2FEED Summer Youth Employment Program
ECO City Farms is seeking high school youth interested in food, health and the environment to enroll in the signature SEED2FEED Summer Youth Employment Program. Youth are engaged in all aspects of our Bladensburg urban farm, from seed to harvest to cooking to eating.
Participants have the opportunity to earn money while working this summer. To be added to the interest list, please contact Kayla Agonoy at
[email protected]
.
Visit the
website for more information.
Holiday Fun with Romano Vineyard & Winery
Open for tastings every: 
Friday,
1-6pm
Saturday,
12-6pm
Special Events:
Kris Kringle Christmas Market
December 9 & 10, 2016
Friday: 4pm - 8pm
Saturday: 9am - 8pm
Charles County Fair, La Plata
For more information, visit their
website
and Facebook
page.
Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commission Issues
Request for Proposals for Meat Processing Facility
 Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland is s
eeking to select a business entity to develop, manage and operate a meat processing facility to service the Southern Maryland Region farming community. The facility will be located within 30 miles of Hughesville, Maryland, an area that includes Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties.
The facility is planned to be a public-private partnership with minimum processing capabilities of 500 beef and 2000 sheep/goat/hog units, with an optional ability to process additional livestock species including poultry.
The ideal capacity for this facility is 3000 animal units per year. The Tri-County Council plans to make a single award to an entity which can provide all of the services requested through sub-contractors and a lease or purchase of property. The contract to be awarded will be for a term of up to 9 years.
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.
Food Equity Forum on Urban Farming Featured in The Sentinel
 Urban farming initiative launched at Equity Food Forum
County agents want residents to know about resources and procedures created to spur the development of urban farming in Prince George's County.
Held at the Center for Educational Partnership on Nov. 2, the Urban Farm Initiative Kickoff served as an orientation for longtime farmers interested in transitioning to urban farming, as well as county residents who aspire to be urban farmers.
"We worked with the Food Equity Council, the University of Maryland Extension and the Soil Conservation District to propose legislation that would essentially open up urban agriculture in a number of the residential zones in the county," said Matthew Dernoga, policy analyst for councilwoman Mary Lehman.
The kickoff was the second half of the third annual Food Equity Forum, where local urban farmers and nonprofits dedicated to food security weighed in on the connection between urban farming and food equity.
Read more...
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Gabriela Martinez, The Sentinel
Two Prince George's County Farmers Become State's First Soil Health Champions
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| Steve Darcy |
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The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is building a vast network of soil health leaders to advance the adoption of soil conservation practices nationwide. Already, the network has become a space for soil champions to exchange best management practices, tell success stories, and learn how to make improvements in their own operations. NACD believes this network will play a key role in driving a countrywide movement to improve America's soils.
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Michael Heller |
In March 2015, NACD launched the Soil Health Champions Network with help from a NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant. The goal is to recruit farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who not only use soil health practices in their operations, but are also willing to share and promote their soil health stories within their communities.
Family Garden Club Starts in March
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Holiday Open House Wine Tasting
Marietta House Museum
December 10, 5-8pm
Set aside a special time to enjoy the season and holiday cheer when you visit Marietta.
As you taste various wines, you will be treated to light refreshments in the historic dining room. Please take a tour of our beautifully decorated and candlelit historic home. This year, we have vintage decorations in a few of the rooms.
We are delighted that our musical ensemble for the evening is the Eleanor Roosevelt Clarinet Quartet.
Marietta is the 1813 home of Judge Gabriel Duvall, a Supreme Court Justice and Comptroller of the Treasury. Marietta stands on terraced, landscaped grounds with two contemporary outbuildings: a brick law office and a stone and brick root cellar/harness storage room.
Marietta, a property of Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is located at 5626 Bell Station Road, Glenn Dale, MD 20769.
Visit the website for more information.
Marietta is a property of the.
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National Colonial Farm
December 10, 4-8pm
A local community favorite, Winter's Eve has been a holiday tradition at the National Colonial Farm for 14 years. The event features seasonal 18th century interpretation and merriment including caroling by the fire, musical performances, wreath decorating using fresh-greenery, eco-friendly gift and craft-making for the family, hot soup, cocoa, and popcorn will be available to keep you warm and toasty on this special evening as we deck the farm for the holidays!
**Free General Admission**
Purchase required for crafts, food and beverages.
All proceeds from this special event support the National Colonial Farm's education and interpretation programs.
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Soiree at the Snowdens'
Montpelier Mansion
December 17, 5-8pm
The Snowdens were known far and wide for their hospitality.
We honor them this holiday season with an evening of cheer and merriment, featuring the culinary diversity
of our local communities. While you enjoy a variety of beverages and hors d'oeuvres,
enjoy the intimate jazz stylings of Entre Nous, a jazz duo led by musician and
elementary school music teacher, Jeanette Preniczky. This refreshing duo blends the
repertoire of standard jazz tunes with songs in French, Portuguese and some popular
covers.
Visit their website for more information.
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Christmas Market
Pax River Alpacas
The Alpaca Yarn & Fiber Shop
December 17, 10am-5pm
Farm store features local alpaca yarns (natural and hand-dyed); handmade scarves, hats and shawls; super-warm alpaca socks, unique novelty yarns, African earrings and jewelry and much more.
Visit their
website for more information.
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MDA's Produce Seasonality Charts
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 Contact Us!
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,
Looking to start a farmers market or farm? Visit our Ag Marketing
page for resources.
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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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