ECO Update
What's happening on the farms?
Winter on the farm: Farming happens year-round at ECO.  We take all of these extraordinary steps to preserve the temperatures in our hoophouses and on our beds to extend the growing season on field beds and retain the life in our carefully grown plants. As we get further into winter, the days are the shortest and the nights the coldest, it takes its toll on our plants. They do grow but very, very slowly - so slow that if we lose a crop to disease or pests (we do have them in the winter!) then there may not be more until spring. 

Beginning Farmer Training Program: We've kicked off our beginning farmer training program, Food Sovereignty: Growing Urban Farmers and Farms . 17 passionate, aspiring urban farmers are enrolled in this comprehensive training program. Stay tuned for updates and pictures from this program.

Hiatus from Riverdale Park Farmers Market: There is a significant shortfall in our crop production for this winter, a contributing factor is the hoophouse we lost last year due to heavy snowfall. ECO is prioritizing our produce for our CSA members and therefore we will not have enough produce to sell at the farmers market. We will be taking a break from sales at the market until our spring crops are underway. We plan to return to the market in early April. 
Course: Intensive Introduction to Urban Commercial Agriculture 

Offered in partnership with Prince George's Community College, this intensive course will teach you strategies for planning and designing an ecologically-sound urban farm, based on your needs, goals, and resources. Starting with the basic principles of sustainable farming, this course will touch on crop and soil science, composting, resource management and farm business planning. Also, you will be taught food safety regulations and strategies needed to know to prepare produce for sale.
Schedule : 9 sessions from January 25th - March 22nd on Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m
Price: $583 (includes a $466 lab fee, does not include $20 registration fee)
Recruiting for SEED2FEED 2017

ECO is seeking a limited number of high school youth passionate about 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. Youth are introduced to all aspects of food production literally from the ground up to encourage them to think differently about the sources of their food and the role of food in their lives. As a result, they will be informed and empowered to make their own healthy life style and eating choices.

This is a 6 week program, from late June to August,  for youth ages 15-19.

Participants have the opportunity to earn money while working this summer! 
Apply for the Prince George's County Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program to be placed with ECO City Farms. Application opens in February 2017. 

To be added to the interest list, please contact Kayla Agonoy at kayla@ecocityfarms.org.
ECO City Farms | (301) 288-1125 | info@ecocityfarms.org | www.ecocityfarms.org
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