Sunflower Shoots and Urban Ag Classes

[Christian M]

Hey everyone,

It was great seeing your faces at our open house this past Saturday!  The weather was kind to us and we had fun munching on some fresh sunflower shoots and playing with worms.

This update has some reminders about exciting opportunities and events with urban agriculture and interesting news articles.  Also, we've started trials of shoots and are getting that squared away.  

Also, we are looking for folks who are willing to take on more of a leadership role with the volunteers on Saturdays.  We are currently doing our New Urban Farmer Training program during volunteer hours on Saturdays, and in September will add the Prince George's Community College program to that day.  It will be very busy!  We'd much appreciate anyone willing to work with us in managing volunteer projects on a Saturday over the next few weeks.

Finally, some of us are driving to Milwaukee to present at Growing Power's International Conference.  We are looking for another person to share the drive (we're taking our car).  We'll be leaving Thursday early afternoon and returning late Sunday night.  It'll be an amazing experience, trust me!

Hope to see you soon.  Thanks!

Vinnie and Christian

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At the Farm

We just put up the shade cloth for half of Greenhouse 4, which means full speed ahead with sprout production and vermicomposting.  We have been doing some trials of sunflower and sugar pea shoots, and gearing up for full production.  There's a sink in Greenhouse 4, and rising worm racks to hold our 16 worm bins.  As we get the vermicomposting system and shoots established, its on to aquaponics...

Volunteer hours are still Mondays and Thursdays 8a-12p, and Saturdays 9a-3p.

And again, if anyone is interested in helping manage volunteer projects starting in September.  You don't have to commit to every Saturday.  Let us know if you are interested and have any questions.

News

*We got featured in the Gazette! http://www.gazette.net/stories/08122010/collnew165432_32534.php

*Very interesting article about folks in Italy resisting GM crops and the debate surrounding genetically modified crops. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/08/10-7

*Article on "What you need to know to be an Urban Farmer" http://www.ecohearth.com/eco-zine/food-and-garden/1320-what-you-need-to-know-to-become-an-urban-farmer.html

Events/Opportunities

1) ECO's Urban Farming Workshop Series with Prince George's Community College 

There's still time to register!  This is a good opportunity to learn the ins and outs of hoophouses, composting, and creating a viable urban agriculture business.

http://www.ecoffshoots.org/projects-2/urban-farmer-training/ 

2) Growing Power's National and International Urban and Small Farm 

Gathering! September 10-12

Come to Milwaukee and help grow the good food revolution. Hosted by Growing 
Power—a national organization headed by the sustainable urban farmer and MacArthur Fellow Will Allen<http://www.growingpowerfarmconference.org/speakers/will-allen/>—this international conference will teach the participant how to plan, develop and grow small farms in urban and rural areas. Learn how you can grow food year-round, no matter what the climate, and how you can build markets for small farms. See how you can play a part in creating a new food system that fosters better health and more closely-knit communities.* 
http://www.growingpowerfarmconference.org