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.

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.

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.

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.

Who Can Attend:   Lamb Camp is open to all Maryland 4-H’ers and FFA students – plus, 4-H’ers and FFA students from surrounding states.   This Lamb Camp is limited to 18 maximum.

Dates and Times:    Saturday, July 13, 2013.   Arrive before 8:00 am – will start at 8:00 am and finish by 5:00 pm.   Refreshments and lunch will be provided to all – 4-H’ers, parents, family, and other volunteers.

Instructor:    Scott Myers, a well-known, experienced 4-H and Open Class Judge in this region.   Scott will be assisted by a few folks who have very good showmanship knowledge and experience.

Location:    The Frederick County Fairgrounds – Frederick, MD – East Patrick Street, exit off Rte. 70.   We’ll be using the Sheep Barn and the Sheep Show Ring in the northwest area of the fairgrounds.

Lamb Camp Registration:    Fill out and sign the attached Registration Form and mail it back to Dawn Richardson, Treasurer, Frederick County Sheep Breeders.   Address is on the form.

Registration Cost:    $50.00 per 4-H’er and FFA student.   Enclose your check with your completed Registration Form.

Lodging Arrangements:    If anyone plans on arriving the night before, let us know.   The fairgrounds will be open Friday afternoon so you can bed-down your market lambs.

What You Need to Bring:    Halters, water bucket, some hay and feed, and bedding, if you want.   The Sheep Barn has good pens.  You also need to bring a fitting stand and your show day shearing equipment.

Your Project Lamb(s):    Bring your 1 or 2 lambs.   If you can’t bring a lamb, let us know – a good, halter broke, sheared market lamb will be provided for the day.

Bring Sheared Lambs:    Lambs should be sheared 12-21 days before the Lamb Camp.   You will also shear your lambs at the Camp.   For those 4-H’ers who need to borrow a lamb, a sheared lamb will be provided.  

Sponsors:    the Frederick County Sheep Breeders – and the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association

Send to Your Sheep Clubs:    Forward to your County Sheep Clubs and the County 4-H office.

County Newsletters:    Request that this Lamb Camp information be placed in your 4-H Newsletter.

When You Have Questions:    Any questions, or you need clarification, please contact:

Peter Vorac, President, Frederick County Sheep Breeders     301-371-4111     

pvorac@comcast.net                                             website:     www.fredericksheepbreeders.com

Come cheer the contestants as they compete for the title of Miss Baltimore County Farm Bureau. Followed by a family style picnic with live music, games and an ice cream social.

Bring the family, tell your friends and neighbors. Enjoy afternoon of good family fun.

Where:

Baltimore County Ag Center

Cost:

$5.00 a person children under 5 free

RSVP:

Please register in advance at 410-666-1033, bcfb@hotmail.com or make check payable to:

Baltimore County Farm Bureau

PO Box 188

Timonium, MD 21094