Field Days and Workshops
Register online at www.futureharvestcasa.org/events
MAY 29 – Organic Orchard and Value-Added Farm Products at Country Pleasures Farm
Wednesday, May 29, 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Country Pleasures Farm – 6219 Harley Road, Middletown, MD 21769
Future Harvest CASA members $20; Nonmembers $30
Country Pleasures Farm’s organic farmers Eric and Lori Rice will take attendees on a tour of their fields, hoophouses and orchard, the
oldest certified organic orchard in Maryland. They will also talk about the development of farm kitchen processing rules in Maryland,
differences in farm processing and commercial kitchen processing, and organic certification as both a stewardship commitment and a
value-added strategy. Guest speaker Juli Obudzinski of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition will talk about available funding
programs that can help with value-added production, including Value Added Producer Grants, the FSA microloan program, and SARE
and other research funding. A light meal featuring grassfed beef from Country Pleasures and other local farm products will be included.
JUNE 22 – Retail Farming for Success on the Delmarva at Greenbranch Farm
Saturday, June 22, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Greenbranch Farm – 5075 Nutters Cross Road, Salisbury, MD 21804
Future Harvest CASA members $20; Nonmembers $30
Ted and Julia Wycall have transformed Greenbranch Farm, a former commodity farm where corn, soybeans and confinement chickens
had been raised by Ted's grandfather, into a diversified organic operation with a retail marketing model. All their sales come through
retail/direct marketing channels, i.e., farmers markets, a CSA with more than 200 subscribers, and an on-farm store. Their farm story
includes tailoring their diverse product line, which includes produce and meats to attract the retail customer, pursuing methods that
have relatively low start-up costs, and using production techniques that enhance long-term soil fertility.
JULY 13 – Engaging the Public Through Farm-Based Education at Fox Haven Farm
Saturday, July 13, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Fox Haven Farm – 4855 Broad Run Road, Jefferson, MD 21755
Future Harvest CASA Members – $20, Nonmembers – $30
Field day registration includes a walking tour of the farm led by Mark Eyestone and farm manager Dick Bittner, along with a discussion
of conservation and alternative energy elements being demonstrated throughout the property; a presentation in the learning barn on
engaging children through sustainable food and farming education by Peggy Eppig of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation;
and a light lunch. After lunch, optional workshops allow you to participate in some of the farm-based educational programs offered by
MAEF and Fox Haven Farm. Each one-hour workshop is an additional $20 (topics online). Bring the kids! For only $20 for the entire
day, your young ones will participate in fun activities such as a creek walk and scavenger hunt.
JULY 21 – Farm Longevity and Multi-Farm CSA at Potomac Vegetable Farms
Sunday, July 21, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Potomac Vegetable Farms East – 9627 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
Future Harvest CASA Members - $10, Nonmembers - $20
In operation by the Newcomb family since the 1960s, Potomac Vegetable Farms on Route 7 near Tyson's Corner is now the only
commercial farm still operating in Fairfax County, Virginia. The farm has grown and prospered through a mix of hard work,
perseverance and adaptations to changing markets over the years. This field day will focus on direct-market strategies that have proven
successful for the farm, including farmers markets, a farmstand on Route 7, and a 550-member CSA, which includes produce from
several cooperating farms in the area. The field day will take place during the cooperating farms' weekly delivery time, so attendees can
see how the various contributions add up to a full CSA share, and learn more about the mutual benefit to the farms that participate.
www.futureharvestcasa.org
Register online or call 410-549-7878