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April 2017
Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days.
- Henri Alain
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FRESH.
Several Farmers Markets Open This Month!
For more information on the College Park farmers markets,
click here.
Kick Off of the 2017 Season of the Farmers Market at MD
The Farmers Market at Maryland operates every Wednesday, April
5th through November 15. The market is located in front of the
Cole Activity Building from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The market will feature a weekly cooking demonstration featuring produce and/or products from the farmers market to encourage "Farm to Table" eating.
Seeking a Central Maryland Farmers' Market Program Assistant
 Food Supplement Nutrition Education - Maryland's SNAP-Ed Program - as part of University of Maryland Extension, is seeking individuals for part-time, seasonal employment in the following county regions: Montgomery/Prince George's, Anne Arundel/Baltimore, Charles/Calvert/St. Mary's, and Upper Shore (Cecil, Queen Anne's, Kent) Counties. Duties of this position include: support FSNE to facilitate the implementation of farmers' market programming, including the delivery of nutrition education, conducting on-site evaluation, technical assistance, and ordering and distribution of resource materials to collaborating farmers' market sites engaged in FSNE programs. This is a part-time position with hours varying from week to week as required, average 30 hours/week. Qualified candidates must have access to personal vehicle for transportation in their designated multi-county region. This position will require flexible hours: weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. EOE.
Qualifications include education in nutrition or related field, personal transportation with a valid driver's license, strong communication and computer skills, and ability to lift printed materials weighing up to 40 pounds. Occasional travel to the FSNE state office will be required.
Please send resume and cover letter by
April 8, 2017, to FSNE Program Development and Outreach Coordinator, Lynn Rubin at
[email protected].
Greenbelt Farmers Vendors Participate in Final Winter Drop
Specific Greenbelt Farmers Market vendors will drop locally-grown and raised products in the Greenbelt
parking lot at 25 Crescent Road on the third Sunday of the month. The last drop will take place on Sunday, April 16.
For more information on how to contact the vendors to submit your order, visit the Greenbelt Farmers Market's
website
and Facebook page.
The market opens officially on Sunday, May 14th!
Share the Bounty in Prince George's County
Here is a listing of CSA's in Prince George's County:
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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Meet Some of Our Local Farmers During A Merry Month of May!
 The Alpaca Lane Criations Farm, located at 15430 Mount Calvert Road in Upper Marlboro, MD will be shearing their alpacas on April 23. This FREE event is open to the public and will be ongoing throughout the day. The event starts at 1
0 AM
and continues until we are done shearing all the alpacas (Probably around
5 PM
). Stop by anytime between
10 AM and 5 PM
and see the alpacas transform from fluffy teddy bears to skinny, but still cute, alpacas. We plan to hold raffles for alpaca products from the shop, have a reading for children of Charles' book featuring the farm alpacas, have demonstrations of spinning yarn from alpaca roving, as well as demonstrations of how to do quick and easy weaving using a peg loom and the farm shop, that is packed with so many alpaca items, will also be open! This is a once a year event and should prove to be both fun and educational at the same time for you and your families! If you have any questions, please call Susan at
703-401-1793.
Spring Vendor Fair at Romano Vineyard & Winery
Join the Romanos every Friday,
1-6pm and every
Saturday,
noon to 6pm for a wine tasting! The following events are taking place at the winery this month:
Janemark Winery & Vineyard
 Stop by Prince George's County's newest winery for a tasting paired with complimentary cheese or chocolate, and you get to keep the glass! They're open every
Saturday from 12:00 -
5:00 pm and by appointment only
on Friday and
Sunday. The weather is warming up so bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the views from the front porch with a bottle of JWV wine.
Celebrate Earth Day with the Black Swamp Creek Land Trust
ECO City Farms Seeks Vendors & Apprentices
The Port Towns Farmers Mercado seeks local farmers, growers and food product vendors for the 2017 season, which runs from
June 3 to September 2
in Bladensburg. The culturally diverse market offers a low flat vendor seasonal fee with rebate for good attendance. They particularly welcome Prince George's farmers, healthy food producers and sustainable growers. For more information visit their website.
ECO is looking for committed people interested in sustainable agriculture to apply for intern and apprenticeship positions for the spring/summer season. You'll get hands-on experience on an urban farm by working alongside farm managers and staff. More info will be announced on our website in mid-February.
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.
C&E Farm Hosts Container Gardening Workshop
2017 Spring Library Garden Lectures 
Deer Resistance Plants: South Bowie, Saturday, April 8, 11:00 am
Vegetable Gardening by the Foot: Surratts Clinton, Saturday, April 8, 2:00 pm
Vegetable Gardening by the Foot: South Bowie Saturday, April 22, 11:00 am
Growing Small Fruits: Surratts Clinton, Saturday, April 22, 2:00 pm
Vegetable Gardening by the Foot: St. Christopher's Episcopal Church (8001 Annapolis Rd, New Carrollton) - [New Carrollton Branch Pop-up Location], Saturday, May 6th 11:00am
Institute for Applied Agriculture: Sustainable Ag Tuesdays
The Sustainable "Ag" Tuesdays series consists of several free lecture events for the University of Maryland and surrounding community. Join us in person in 1123 Jull Hall, or tune in online for live streaming.
Potomac Watershed Clean-up with Accokeek Foundation
 Potomac River Watershed Cleanup While in the spirit of spring cleaning, help the Accokeek Foundation pick up trash and debris from the Potomac River's watershed on April 8, from 10am to 1pm. Volunteers are needed for this annual cleanup to help preserve the natural beauty of the Piscataway Park and its several miles of river. Trash bags and gloves will be provided, but volunteers are advised to wear sturdy, water-resistant shoes and apparel. Contact Casey Lowe at [email protected] for more information or to register.
Bowie Begins Food Waste Collection Pilot
Residents that live in the Victoria Heights, Yorktown, or Overbrook neighborhoods can sign up to be the first in the City to participate in a new food waste collection program. Food waste is uneaten food that is typically thrown in the trash and includes banana peels, apple cores, egg shells, coffee grounds, bones, etc.
About 20% of all waste collected from households in Bowie is food waste. Thus, there is a lot of potential to reduce what goes to the landfill by turning food waste into compost, a material that is used to fertilize soil.
Read more...
Get Healthy Prince George's County Health Expo
Leadership Prince George's is hosting a Get Healthy Prince George's County Health Expo on
Saturday, May 6th
from
10 am - 3 pm
at the Suitland Community Center. There will be vendors, exhibitors, all kinds of health workshops including financial health, healthy relationships, etc, a dance contest and trainers providing a host of classes. The event will also feature healthy foods provided by County restaurants as part of the "Taste of Prince George's". Activities will abound for children with a skate park, face painting, etc. There will also be organizations providing free health screenings.
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Brunch with Bunny
City of College Park
April 8
from
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
College Park Community Center
5051 Pierce Ave
You're invited to Brunch with Bunny!
Join us on
Saturday, April 8 from
11am until 1pm at the College Park Community Center (5051 Pierce Ave).
Enjoy a complimentary brunch, be entertained by local performers and create fun arts and crafts while you wait for the Bunny to hop in!
No reservations are required for this free event. Presented by the City of College Park's Recreation Board.
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MD Farmers Market Conference
April 10, 8am - 4pm
The Annual Maryland Farmers Market Conference at the Maryland Department of Agriculture will be held on April 10th at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD. The conference is from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Lunch will be included in the conference and there will be a $30 cost per person for full day conference attendance. More information and r
egistration details will be available on the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website. Check this press release for details.
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Stewards of Future Harvests
Free Community Seed Swap
& Gardening Expo
Watkins Nature Center
April 15, 10am - 2pm
The world-wide practice of seed saving ensures diversity of edible and ornamental plants for the next generations. As seed savers we are stewards of future harvests and we are responsible for what happens next in the art of seed collection and preservation.
Stewards of Future Harvests is a free community-based event focused on bringing together community, home and school gardeners from across our county to network and share gardening advice and ideas.
The program will feature community, school and home gardening leaders, plant experts and a community gardener's panel. There will be activities for youth and adults, a seed swap, free gardening information, giveaways, door prizes, as well as container and vertical gardening demonstrations. You are not required to bring seeds, but, if you have extras and would like to donate them, please bring them to share with other attendees. We will have a photo exhibit of community, home and school gardens across the county. If you are interested in participating in the photo exhibit, please send an e-mail to the contact e-mail address below for instructions. We hope you can join us!!
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required on Eventbrite.com - Search on keyword "Community Seed Swap."
Community Service Hours Available for Student Volunteers.
Bring the Entire Family!
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Prince George's Soil Conservation District
Annual Dinner
Baden Fire Hall
April 20, 6pm
Social Hour: 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm
$20.00 per person
RSVP by April 6th
Where: Baden Fire Hall - 16608 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD
Checks payable to: Prince George's Soil Conservation District or PGSCD.
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Bringing Nature Home Lecture
with Dr. Doug Tallamy
Baden Fire Hall
April 21, 7-9:30pm
Biodiversity is a national treasure that we have abused. Now that we know the consequences of habitat destruction, we must behave more responsibly toward the plants and animals on which we depend. We must manage our biodiversity just as we manage our water resources, our clean air, and our energy. Fortunately, biodiversity is a renewable resource that is relatively easy to increase. By choosing native plants, we can all contribute. Come and learn fromone the leading advocate for "BRING NATURE HOME ," Dr Doug Tallmay about how homeowners and communities can landscape with and for nature.
Click here for registration and details.
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Black Swamp Creek Trust
Plant Sale & Swap
April 22, 9am - 1pm
Bring labeled plants to swap for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs, seeds, farm and garden stuff.
Plants for sale too!
Music by The Swampy Bottom Boys!
Free Refreshments!
Location: Restored Tobacco Bart an 19070 Poplar Ridge Rd, Brandywine, MD (2/10th miles north of the intersection of Croom & Brandywine Roads)
For more information, call Joanne at 301.502.3261.
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ASPCA HaHD Unicorn Festival Fundraiser
April 23, 11am - 4pm
Join us as we celebrate the ASPCA's 2017 Help a Horse Day with a Unicorn Festival to benefit The Big Purple Barn! Calling all maidens and knights! Please join us for a spectacular time to celebrate the secret unicorns of The Big Purple Barn and help us raise money to support our sanctuary residents! Loads of activities and surprises during our fundraising event.
Visit The Big Purple Barn's website for details!
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Monthly Meeting & New Member Recruitment
Food Equity Council
April 25, 4:30 - 6:30
The mission of the Prince George's County Food Equity Council is to significantly improve public health and community well-being of all who live, work, study, worship and play in the County.
It will develop and support policies, approaches, procedures, practices and initiatives to create systemic change to the local food system, promoting health, economic opportunity, food security, and well-being, especially among communities that have been negatively impacted by the current food system.
Details regarding the location for the meeting is coming soon! Visit the Food Equity Council's
website for more information.
Apply for a Seat on the Prince George's County Food Equity Council
The Prince George's County Food Equity Council (FEC) is now accepting applications for Council members. FEC members work collaboratively with stakeholders to revitalize the local, regional, and national food systems.
If you are passionate about social justice and food system change, please submit your member application by April 14th, 2017. Contact Sydney Daigle for details.
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Marietta House Museum Events
April, 2017
Upcoming Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation Programs at Marrietta House Museum include:
April 8: Civil War Quilts
April 22, 23: Marching Through Time
Enjoy light refreshments. For more information and to register, visit the
website.
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Montpelier Mansion Events
April, 2017
Upcoming PGC Parks and Recreation Programs at Montpelier Mansion include:
Rub the Oils and Strew the Powders: The Legacy of European Herbs in Early American Medicine and Cuisine (April)
On display will be illustrations from 17th, 18th and 19th century "herbals,"
instructional books on identifying and using herbs in medicine and cooking. The colors in these ancient prints are still vibrant, the lines graceful and elegant, and the shading almost 3-D in its effect. The images
are copies from herbals in the Rare Book Division of the National
Agricultural Library.
Gifts and Spirits Series (April 8)
This is the second in our new "Gifts and Spirits Series," in which we do crafts and enjoy beverages inspired by our current exhibits. In this Gifts and Spirits, dubbed "Color Me Sangria," we will do crafts with herbs and make our own sangria blends, in honor of our exhibit, Rub the Oils and
Strew the Powders: The Legacy of European Herbs in Early American
Medicine and Cuisine (a.k.a. the Herb Exhibit).
Friends of Montpelier's Spring 2017 History Lecture: The History of Herbal, From Folklore to Pharmaceuticals (April 8)
The Friends of Montpelier's spring history lecture features John Peter Thompson, Chair of the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission, who will speak on the history of herbals from their start as a collection of folk wisdom, to the basis of many of the medical and pharmaceutical sciences of today. He will also speak on the precursors of herbals from Greek and Roman times.
21st Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts (April 29)
Stroll among vendors of fragrant herbs, fine arts, handmade items like pottery, garden accessories, jewelry, and much more. You can hear live music, take in gardening talk or craft workshop, and have tea in Montpelier's elegant east wing. Kids can play in the hands-on history playground, do art projects, and see a live animal exhibit. The festival is free but there is a charge for tea. Tea tickets available online starting April 1.
For more information and to register, visit the
website
.
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Save the Date!
Villa de Alpacas Farm
May 2017
Looking for something beautiful that you can
BuyLocal
for
MothersDay
? Check out the Villa de Aplacas Farm Mother's Day Open House on May 5-7th & May 13th -14th from 10am - 3pm. Shop with Mom for a unique experience in their glorious historic house on their Bicentennial family farm! Visit the furry alpacas, relax on the front porch, and enjoy a day down on the farm!
For more information visit our
website.
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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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