ECO City Farms Annual Report 

ECO has accomplished so much over the years! The 2013-2014 annual report sums up all of our programs from new farmer training to nutrition education to our summer youth program, just to name a few. This annual report highlights the work that we do to create a just, vigorous and sustainable food system in the Chesapeake foodshed with ample fertile soil, quality environments, livable incomes and decent working conditions for farmers and food workers, and nutritious high quality food for all.   

We'd like to take this time to thank all of our donors, funders, partners and supporters. ECO would not be possible without you!

CLICK HERE to view our annual report.

Apprentices and Interns Wanted for the Spring/Summer Season!

ECO's apprenticeships and internships present an immersive, hands-on opportunity to learn about sustainable urban agriculture by working directly with experienced farm staff. In addition, you make a significant contribution to ECO's programs. 

We are now accepting applications for 5 different positions:

1. Edmonston Farm: (2) Apprentices and (4) Interns

2. Bladensburg Farm: (1) Apprentices and (2) Interns

3. (1) Farm to Market Intern

4. (1) Microgreens Intern
5. (1 or 2) Farm Educator Intern (More details will be announced) 

CLICK HERE to learn more about our internship and apprenticeship program and to read the job descriptions of each position.

CLICK HERE to apply for an internship or apprenticeship.

TEDxManhattan in Hyattsville

Date: Saturday, March 7

Time: 1:15-6:30pm

Location: Vigilante Coffee Company, The Roastery 4327 Gallatin Street Hyattsville, MD 20781

Cost: FREE 

ECO City Farms, the Food Equity Council, GoodSoil Events and Vigilante Coffee are partnering to host a LIVE WEBCAST viewing party of the sold out TEDx Manhattan event. The event will include sessions 2 and 3 of "Changing the Way We Eat". Enjoy the show in Vigilante Coffee's airy, industrial-look roastery & cafe and nosh on locally grown, hand crafted, and ethically sourced samples, snacks, and drinks.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this event.

Let's Talk Food!
 

Our nutrition education workshops, Let's Talk Food!, have been a great start to our year. The classes have been led by our partnering MUIH graduate nutritionists and our Community Nutrition Educators that have completed our training last year. The workshops have been a hit! More than 50 attendees learned about healthy eating: theory and practice. 

This recipe for Curried Lentil & Butternut Squash Stew is an example of a tasty, and healthy, dish sampled at our workshops.
 

Click HERE to learn more about these workshops on our website.

Do you want to bring a Let's Talk Food workshop to your community? If so, please e-mail Viviana Lindo at [email protected].

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.

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 is $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. 

Support ECO via AmazonSmile

CLICK HERE to learn about other was to donate to ECO.

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. Every other week you'll catch Sade doing cooking demos of yummy healthy dishes. 

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).