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 ECO City Farms
January 2015
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Happy 2015! Last year was another year of growth for ECO City Farms and with our commercial kitchen and microgreens production, we will be growing even more in the coming this year. Stay tuned for updates from our farms in Edmonston and Bladensburg, info about CSA's and farm markets, details about programming and events, and opportunities for learning and volunteering.
The need for people to eat, buy, and support food and other products that are made locally is more important than ever. If all of us make even small changes then as a whole we can keep making a big difference. So make a resolution that this is the year you will support a small local business one more time a week, or a month, or a season, and together we can all make a significant change.
Thank you for all of your support; hope to see you around the farm soon!
-Colin Mahoney, Bladensburg Farm Manager
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Farm Construction Updates
Our team has been busier than our bees completing all the construction projects on our farms.
The Bladensburg Farm is the newer and larger of our two farms and there was much to be done there. By the end of the year three major projects were crossed off our to-do list.
See the complete photo gallery of the farm construction on our website, click the picture to scroll through the album.
- A small hoophouse was built to protect our veggies this winter. This hoophouse is covered with a special layer of bubble wrap plastic that traps heat in its air pockets.
- The "Worm House" (pictured) was completed. It is a huge hoophouse-like structure that our Red Wigglers now call home.
- The "Barn" needs a few more finishing touches, but it will serve as a multi-functioning gathering space for our summer youth program and other classes.
At the Edmonston farm, new informational signage went up for visitors to learn more about our farm on their own.
When the worms were moved out of the Edmonston nursery to the Bladensburg Worm House, all of that space was freed up to put in new nursery benches that increase surface space for growing more seedlings and microgreens!
Also check out the time-lapse video of the covering going over the Worm House on our Facebook page.
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Let's Talk Food!
We are starting off the year with our engaging educational nutrition education workshops. ECO teaches about nutrition and cooking to increase the desire for good food and an understanding of its health benefits.
Learn how to make healthier choices, decode mystery ingredients and more with your fellow community members. These workshops are the perfect motivation for those that made resolutions to make healthier decisions this year!
These workshops are FREE!
Upcoming Workshops
Saturday, January 24 @ 12-2pm
Magic Johnson Empowerment Center
6001 Logan Way, #A5, Bladensburg, MD 20710
Saturday, February 7 @ 2-4pm
City of Mount Rainier City Hall
1 Municipal Place, Mount Rainier, MD 20712
(Online Eventbrite registration available)
You MUST RSVP to attend, e-mail: [email protected]
Click HERE to learn more about these workshops on our website.
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Become a Member of the Prince George's County Food Equity Council
The Prince George's County Food Equity Council (FEC), a local independent county food policy council, is now accepting applications for Council members.
The mission of FEC is to significantly improve public health and community well-being of all who live, work, study, worship and play in the County. FEC members work collaboratively with stakeholders to revitalize the local, regional, and national food systems. By identifying deficiencies and promoting innovative solutions, FEC will help transform the food system into one that improves public health, ensures environmental sustainability, and spurs sound economic development.
The Food Equity Council includes 22 members with diverse representation across professional, political, educational, racial, ethnic and geographic backgrounds. At least 51% of Food Equity Council members must live in Prince George's County. In addition, the membership will have expertise in planning, health, education, food retail, food production, and anti-hunger and are from the following stakeholder groups: businesses; community and faith-based organizations; educational, research, and health institutions and associations; government; residents; rural and urban farm organizations.
Deadline for applications is March 15, 2015.
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SHOW YOUR LOVE WITH AN ECO PLATE ON YOUR CAR!
We want to establish a Maryland license plate in the name of ECO,and we need your support! In order to apply we'd need at least 25 committed members who are Maryland registered drivers to make this happen.
The projected cost for the plates will be $40, which includes a $15 donation to ECO. Pictured is a preview of what the plates could look like; this is not a final version.
If you are interested in supporting ECO by purchasing one or more these tags, please e-mail [email protected] with your full name and current license plate number.
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Apprentices and Interns Wanted!
 In February, be on the look out for an announcement for a call for interns and apprentices! We will be accepting applications for apprentice and intern positions on both of the farms. Visit our website to learn more our apprentice and intern program. |
 Farmers Market in the Winter The Riverdale Park Farmers Market has moved inside! Enjoy the warmth while listening to live music and picking up fresh produce for dinner. Come visit our stand and chat with farmer Deborah about what's in season and share your yummy recipes with Amanda. The Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open Thursdays from 3-7pm and is located inside of the brick and yellow building on the corner of Queensbury Road and the MARC train station parking lot (4650 Queensbury Road Riverdale Park, MD 20737). 
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