Programs for Emerging Growers

The last week has featured two exciting programs for aspiring local food producers here in the DC area. First, on April 11, we enjoyed a full evening program titled- Project Launch- here at Airlie Center, which brought together emerging food producers for a spring networking session and evaluative exercises designed to help new food projects get off the ground. Speakers included Harvey Ussery of The Modern Homestead in Hume, VA, Jesse Straight of Pastured Poultry in Warrenton, VA, and Stacey Carlberg of the Farm at Sunnyside, Little Washington, VA. Modeled after the Exploring the Small Farm Dream course, this one-time event was designed as a refresher as the busy spring season gets underway.

On Wednesday, April 14, we were thrilled to participate as a cofounder of the CRAFT program (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) here in the DC Metro Area. Featuring monthly tours of different farms and potlucks, the CRAFT program will facilitate new farmer training and networking. Chesapeake CRAFT is modeled after other CRAFT programs in the United States, and is a cooperative, farmer-based effort.

Exploring the Small Farm Dream

This past Wednesday, December 2, 2009, eighteen emerging new farmers gathered for the fourth and final session of this year's Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course, held right here at Airlie Center. The course, developed by the New England Small Farm institute, is designed to be a concise and effective catalyst for small farmers to better evaluate new enterprise ideas, identify resources, and determine next steps. The course is so valuable because of the holistic design of the sessions, helping small farmers look more closely at the dollars and cents of a particular production model, as well as quality of life and family dynamics.

Each session, we invite a local farmer or two to share their story, experience and advice for the group. The goal of the course is not to teach how to farm, but to facilitate the connection of aspiring farmers with one another, with experienced mentors, and with the right questions. At the end of four sessions, course participants create an action plan with next steps, from additional research to mentorship opportunities to launching an enterprise!

This year we took a field trip to Moutoux Orchard and helped Rob Moutoux plant garlic while learning about his developing CSA and local grain & flour projects.

It is our hope that Exploring the Small Farm Dream and other programs create the beginnings of a more effective infrastructure to advance new farmers and new farm projects throughout the region.

Hallows' Eve: Scythe Time

This past Sunday's Hallows' Eve workshop was a blast from the past, and into the future! Guest presenter Harvey Ussery demonstrated proper use of the scythe, a mowing tool of old (commonly associated with the grim reaper & Halloween) which has come back to life recently as backyard food producers and small farmers alike focus on minimizing their use of fossil fuels. The high-quality & properly used scythe is not only efficient, as Harvey demonstrated, but meaningful and enjoyable!

The rest of the workshop examined the use of the broadfork and other hand tools in the Local Food Project garden system, and the consideration of season extension strategies and protection of crops in the late fall garden.

Cider and good times all around, we can see the Hallows’ Eve workshop becoming a pre-Halloween tradition here at Airlie Center.

Grow a Lot in a Small Space

Looking for strategies to produce a lot of vegetables in your own backyard? Find out how you can garden using Small Space, High Yield growing techniques at the Local Food Project’s next evening workshop on Thursday, July 2 from 6-8 p.m. We’ll discuss biointensive methods and talk about ways to increase soil fertility, decide plant spacing, keep pests away, and more! Local wine and beer, as well as snacks made from local ingredients, will provide a delicious start to the night. A new skit performed by the LFP crew and friends will spark plenty of laughter. And we’ll kick off the July 4th holiday with a fun and relaxing evening in the garden. Cost, $20. Learn more on our website. To register, send an email to bslate@airlie.org by July 1.

Organic Garden Primer Workshop a Success

We had blue skies and plenty of sun for the Local Food Project’s first evening workshop of the summer. About 35 people joined us for “The Organic Garden Primer,” enjoying the chance to see the LFP garden’s recent updates, mingle with other local food enthusiasts, and sample juicy mini-burgers made with local beef. Yum! The sixteen foot ladder also made an appearance, reprising its role in last year’s skit about organic gardening techniques.

If you missed the workshop, plan to join us for another great celebration on July 2. An LFP favorite, “Small Space, High Yield Gardens” will gather urban growers, suburban gardeners, and small farmers alike to learn about maximizing vegetable production in tight quarters. We’ll also enjoy local food treats, wine, beer, and lots of great conversation. Learn more and plan to attend!

Digging in to Small Farm Design

Participants at last weekend’s “Skills, Scale, Sustainability” workshop took home a whole new toolbox full of ideas and strategies for designing, managing, and enhancing a small-scale food-growing system. Facilitator Shane J. LaBrake drew on a lifetime’s worth of farming experience to inspire course attendees to put their sustainable agriculture dreams into motion.

During the 2.5-day workshop, Shane returned again and again to one of his favorite quotes from William McDonough—“Design is the first signal of human intention.” He showed participants how to apply that concept philosophically—in the way they set up and think about the integration of their farm system—and practically—as they lay out the beds and set the schedule for a vegetable garden. Shane’s approach to tractor operation and maintenance emphasized two simple policies: 1. Read the manual. 2. Safety, safety, safety. Attendees were empowered to understand how tractors work and feel comfortable operating them on their own farms. The workshop was a real success thanks to Shane’s depth of knowledge and the enthusiasm of the participants. View more photos from the weekend.