Tag: Maryland

Ben Friton of Can YA Love and Forested will be Keynote Speaker at MOFFA 2018 Winter Meeting

Keynote Speaker Ben Friton of Can YA Love & Forested will discuss the History of Agriculture and Going Back to the Fundamentals of Thriving Ecosystems at the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association 2018 Winter Meeting.Ben Friton of Can YA Love and Forested

Friton leads seminars and lectures around the world focusing on restoring ecosystems using biomimicry. He has worked in densely populated communities and has patented vertical garden systems and currently is trying to develop the most ecologically beneficial agricultural systems possible.

The 27th Annual MOFFA Winter Meeting is on Saturday February 17, 2018 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis. The meeting is open to the public. Snow date is Feb. 24, 2018.

Join farmers, consumers, advocates, and researchers at this public meeting and potluck lunch. MOFFA Board Member, Claudia Raskin said:

“We will have information you can use,  dynamic presentations and workshops for farmers, gardeners, and folks who are interested in organic food, food justice, and more.  You can learn something new or share your experience.  Our organic potluck lunch is Legendary!  Book sale!  Auction!”

Hear from Farmers and Activists:

  • Nick Maravell Facilitator, Public Policy Update – with Mike Tabor, and Alexis Badenmyer
  • Susan Frick Payne, from the Maryland Department of Agriculture will discuss the  Maryland Healthy Soils Consortium.
  • Rachael Childress Nagle, Fermentation – Microbes & How they Impact Our Health
  • Eric Rice, Willow Oaks Craft Cider, Opportunities & Questions – Hard Ciders & Beyond
  • Mike Klein, Simplifying accounting, tax preparation and taxes for the farmer
  • Roger Williams, George Washington Carver Agricultural Institute and New Incubator Farm Training Initiative at Tufts, Are Value-Added Farm Products a Good Choice for You?
  • Erik de Guzman & Meghan Ochal, Dicot Farm, Dominic Hosack, THEARC Farm, Peter Scott, Fields 4 Valor, Panel Discussion: New Voices in Organic Agriculture

Learn from University of Maryland Extension Specialists and Scientists:

  • Cerruti RR Hooks, UMD, Can spiders contribute to organic pest management?
  • Alan W. Leslie, UMD, Controlling weeds in organic vegetables with living mulches
  • Andrew G. Ristvey, UMD Extension, Growing Hops
  • Gerald Brust, UMD Extension, Using plant biostimulants
  • Neith Little, UMD Extension, What is urban agriculture?
  • Galen Dively, UMD, Organic insecticides: what works and what doesn’t

Check the MOFFA events page, marylandorganic.org/events, for updates on the agenda.

Attendees please bring a dish to share for the Potluck Lunch, one of the highlights of the meeting. You are encouraged to donate an item for the Auction to support MOFFA. Members may bring display materials. Table space will be available in exchange for auction item donations.

Registration is $20 for non-members and $5 for members. Membership is $25 for one year, $45 for two years and $12 for students. Registration is at the door or online.

Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association (MOFFA) was established in 1991 as a non-profit organization. MOFFA strives to build a sustainable network of individuals and organizations that support small farms, family gardens and ecologically sound businesses.

MOFFA has a Great Variety of Speakers Lined Up for Winter Meeting

MOFFA 2017 WINTER MEETING SPEAKERS

Kirsten S. Traynor, PhD, Flickerwood Apiary– studies how pesticides impact honey bee health for the University of Maryland in the lab of Dr. Dennis vanEngelsdorp and is the editor of Bee World, published by the International Bee Research Association.

Bernie Fowler, Jr., Farming 4 Hunger (F4H) is a non-profit organization formed in 2012 to serve those in need of fresh food in Southern Maryland. The organization grows and distributes over a million pounds of locally grown, fresh food each year. Bernie Fowler Jr., founder, had a vision through his own personal struggles to help people in his hometown gain better access to fresh fruits and vegetables. F4H accomplishes its mission through unique partnerships with 27 local farms, 20+ churches, local businesses and schools, the Maryland Food Bank, the Department of Corrections, and a great network of community volunteers.

Jason King: Unsun.org UNSUNG,  is the app for ending hunger in America, creating everyday superheroes. The “sharing economy” has never been this awesome. A a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Alan Leslie, Postdoctoral Research Associate UMD Department of Entomology Alan Leslie earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland, and is currently a Postdoctoral Associate in the Hooks Lab at UMD. His research focuses on cultural practices such as plant diversification and cover cropping that promote beneficial insects and suppress pests that can be applied to organic farming systems. Alan has also conducted research on aquatic invertebrates in agricultural drainage ditches and insects in restored salt marshes in the Chesapeake Bay. His talk is entitled “Managing cover crops to suppress weeds in organic vegetables”.

Bonnie Raindrop, Chair of Central Maryland Beekeepers Association, Maryland Pesticide Education Network The Central Maryland Beekeepers Association,Strive to educate our members on the best methods and practices for successful beekeeping, and to educate the public on the importance and value of honeybees in our ecosystem.

Cleo Braver:  Cottingham Farm Growers of certified organic heirloom vegetables and herbs on the banks of the Goldsborough Creek in Talbot County, Maryland Bee advocacy and  pesticide policy and legislation in Maryland

Galen Dively, Professor Emeritus and IPM Consultant, UMD.  Dr. Galen P. Dively is an emeritus professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Juniata College and doctorate in entomology from Rutgers University. He worked as an Extension Specialist in agricultural IPM for 34 years, providing training and ways to reduce pesticide use in vegetable and field crops. Since his retirement in 2006, he continues to conduct research on transgenic Bt crops, sublethal effects of pesticides, efficacy evaluation of organic insecticides, and studies addressing information gaps in the biology and management of the invasive pests.  His talk is entitled “ How changes in conventional pest management practices are impacting organic farming”.

Mitchelle Stephenson, Fair Farms: Fair Farms Maryland is a movement of environmental and public health groups, businesses, consumers, and farmers committed to a sustainable food system. She will lead a discussion about the Atrazine legislation in Maryland that is being introduces by MD Senator Will Smith.

Justine Beaulieu, GAPs educator with UMD Plant Sciences Department The training will cover the basics of food safety for pre and post harvest.  Attendees will receive a certificate of training from MDA.

Nick Maravell, Nicks Organic Farm, Mike Tabor, Licking Creek Bend Farm, Rick Hood, Summer Creek Farm: Farmer discussion of Organic Issues

Marjory Hudson, Mitchelle Stephenson, Fair Farms, Mike Tabor: Workshop on Mobilizing Community Action. How one community is winning the fight a against concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO).

Deana Baldwin, MDA:  The Maryland Produce Safety Program will provide outreach, education, inspection and enforcement of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule.

Beckie Gurley Chesapeake Farm to Table, Veronica Cristo Chesapeake Bounty North Beach Market and Kitchen and Deena Kilmon, Chesapeake Harvest: Food Hub Aggregation

Michael Weese, Michael Weese is a Mycologist and fungal enthusiast in the Mid-Atlantic region.  His work involves being a local teacher, guide, consultant, mushroom cultivator, social sculptor, web administrator, operations manager, photographer, writer, soil engineer, permaculturist, ecologist, environmental steward, conservationist and friend to nearly all he meets. Michael has influenced many people across the globe to forage and cultivate their own mushrooms through sharing his knowledge and experience firsthand online, in the classroom, and field.

Lincoln Smith: Lincoln Smith runs Forested, a 10-acre forest garden in Bowie, MD. He tests forest farming methods, educates aspiring forest farmers, consults on new forest farms and brings forest products to market. He runs a forest garden CSA, designs edible landscapes, and holds forest-to-table events. Creating a Forest Garden Forest gardens produce food and supplies from thriving ecosystems. Learn how to create a layered, polycultural food forest. We’ll discuss forest garden methods, some of the great plants you can grow, and how to take care of them. Learn from Lincoln’s 10 years of forest garden successes and learning experiences.

MOFFA’s 26th Annual Winter Meeting, on Saturday February 11, 2017, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis. The meeting is open to the public. Register and get more info at https://marylandorganic.org/events/.

moffa-winter-meeting-2017

Don’t forget our wonderful Potluck Lunch too! Bring a dish to share.

Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association Pollinator Farmer Survey

bee-pollinating-fruit-treeWe all need pollinators on our farms, but the pollinators need our help too.

MOFFA is working with the Smart on Pesticides Coalition to protect Maryland pollinators and we ask that you please take 5 minutes to complete this 5 question survey about your experience on the farm.

Thank you in advance for your timely survey response.

MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2017

Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association to Hold Conference in Annapolis

MOFFA Winter Meeting will be February 11, 2017
The MOFFA Winter Meeting will be February 11, 2017

MOFFA, the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association, announces its 26th Annual Winter Meeting, on Saturday February 11, 2017, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis. The meeting is open to the public.

At this public meeting, you can join farmers, consumers, advocates, and researchers. MOFFA Chairperson Holly Budd said, “Whether you are a consumer or distributor looking for good sources of local organic food, or a farmer or gardener in search of new ideas, techniques and inspiration, the MOFFA Winter Meeting has something for you.” The day will consist of presentations, panels, and workshops, including research talks by  University Of Maryland Extension and scientists.

Attendees:

  • Please bring a dish to share for the Potluck Lunch, one of the highlights of the meeting.
  • You can bring seeds to exchange with the other participants in the MOFFA Seed Swap.
  • You are encouraged to donate an item for the Auction to support MOFFA.
  • Members may bring display materials and table space will be available in exchange for auction item donations.

Registration is $20 for non-members and $5 for members. Membership is $25 for one year, $45 for two years and $12 for students. Registration is at the door or online. For more information or to register online, go to marylandorganic.org or contact Holly Budd at 443-975-4181.

More information coming soon!

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Bring a dish to share at the Potluck Lunch. It’s one of the best parts of the MOFFA Winter Meeting!

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Developing the next generation of women and girls as leaders in agriculture, nutrition and dietetics!

WANDA-- an initiative to encourage, engage and empower women & girls to advance their education and leadership in agriculture, nutrition and dietetics. At Howard U.
Learn about WANDA– an initiative to encourage, engage and empower women & girls to advance their education and leadership in agriculture, nutrition and dietetics at the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association Winter Meeting in Annapolis, February 20, 2016

According to the US Agricultural Census roughly 6100 of 3.2 million are black female farmers. And the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics reports only 3600 of 89,000 Registered Dietitians-Nutritionists are black women are among their ranks. Yet one in 4 African-American women older than 55 has diabetes. And more women must become producers of their destiny vs. bystanders to their death.

That’s why investing in women and girls, we build local economies, improve the community’s health and build confidence in them to aspire for change. To this end, NativSol is kick starting WANDA– an initiative to encourage, engage and empower women & girls to advance their education and leadership in agriculture, nutrition and dietetics.

#IAmWanda A global initiative. to encourage, engage and empower women & girls to advance their education and leadership in agriculture, nutrition and dietetics.
#IAmWanda A global initiative. to encourage, engage and empower women & girls to advance their education and leadership in agriculture, nutrition and dietetics.

Tambra Raye Stevenson, MS Founder/Nutritionist NATIVSOL KITCHEN, come back home Washington, DC, will open the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association Winter Meeting in Annapolis, Maryland on February 20, 2016. In this presentation you will learn why it’s an imperative to invest and how to support the movement. This workshop share the opportunity and the movement creation process of improving the food system with women leaders as change agents.

Tambra Raye Stevenson, MS Founder/Nutritionist NATIVSOL KITCHEN come back home Washington, DC
Tambra Raye Stevenson, MS Founder/Nutritionist NATIVSOL KITCHEN,, will open the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association Winter Meeting in Annapolis, February 20, 2016 with #IAmWanda:Developing the next generation of women and girls as leaders in agriculture, nutrition, and dietetics!

Tambra Raye  has been Honored as the 2014 “Nutrition Hero” by Food & Nutrition Magazine, she is an inspiring speaker, nutrition justice advocate, and consultant. The award-winning Tufts-trained health communicator has emerged as a media source for NBC’s The Grio, WHUR-FM, Huff Post, Washington Post, Sirius XM Radio, NBC Nightly News, BET.com, TheRoot.com, and New America Media.

She has spoken at the U.S. Library of Congress, U.S. Department of Agriculture, W,K, Kellogg Foundation, Howard University, John Jay College, African Immigrant Refugee Foundation, American Public Health Association, and National Association of Black Journalists.

In 2014 Tambra was selected as National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s Traveler of the Year for her passion of finding her Fulani roots in Niger and Nigeria and purpose of promoting health of African heritage foods. As the founder of NATIVSOL KITCHEN, she was shortlisted by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation as a Young African Leaders Summit delegate in Ethiopia during the African Union Summit to speak on youth employment in Africa related to food security and agriculture.

Coming from a family of healers, she develops cultural and faith-based nutrition and wellness programs. She is the founding member of the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs’ Health Education Planning Committee. She serves on the Mission Committee for the American Heart Association and community leadership board for the American Diabetes Association. She created the culinary ministry at Saint Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church to address the intersection of faith, food and justice and teaches faith-based nutrition.

She is an advisor for Oldways Preservation Trust’s African Heritage and Health Program and leads the health committee for the NAACP DC Branch and serves on the DC Dept of Health’s diabesity committee. Tambra holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition/premedical sciences and a Spanish minor at Oklahoma State University and completed her dietetic internship from Dominican University. On the David Boren National Security Scholarship, she studied and practiced community health at Ponticifia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in Dominican Republic. She is a 2013 Echoing Green Fellowship semi-finalist.

The MOFFA Winter Meeting runs from 8:00 am to 5:oo pm, February 20, 2016, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture in Annapolis, Maryland.There will be information for farmers and gardeners in search of new ideas, techniques, & inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food. For more information about the MOFFA Winter Meeting, please visit the Events Page.

 

Community Food Assessment Short Survey

 

SURVEY POSTCARD FRONT

If you are a grower in Frederick, Carroll, Washington or other nearby counties in Maryland, please take this very short survey:

Farmer Community Food Assessment Survey

We hope that the survey results will help all of us better understand the diversity, strength and potential of our region’s ag sector and begin to quantify how many growers have the capacity and desire to meet demand if it is created through a new Food Hub or other aggregation/distribution outlet.  We are also looking at the need for a shared processing facility;  the survey results thus far show interest.  Please give us your input!

 

PESTICIDES AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED PROJECT EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING

EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING PESTICIDES AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED PROJECT OCTOBER 6, 2014 9:45 AM - 3:45 PM MOFFA MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO THE
EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING
PESTICIDES AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED PROJECT

OCTOBER 6, 2014
9:45 AM – 3:45 PM
PEARLSTONE CONFERENCE AND RETREAT CENTER, REISTERSTOWN, MD

REGISTER AT: mdpestnet@aol.comWITH YOUR NAME, TITLE & AFFILIATION
REGISTRATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 19TH

PRESENTERS

  • Moderator: David Love, PhD, MSPH, Project Director for Public Health & Sustainable Aquaculture, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
  • Keynote Speaker: Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS, President, American College of Epidemiology; Chair, Dept of Environmental & Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health; will discuss pesticide impacts in the Potomac River Valley
  • Dennis vanEngelsdorp, PhD, Assistant Professor of Entomology, University of Maryland, is Maryland’s top bee expert and will discuss the plight of bees in our nation & region – and what can be done
  • Vicki Blazer, PhD, Fish Pathologist, USGS National Fish Health Research Lab, will present current research on fish impacts in the Bay watershed from endocrine disruptors & pesticide contamination
  • Cathleen Hapeman, PhD, Environmental Organic Chemist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, will discuss the Long-Term Agro-Ecosystem Research Network and identifying areas where conservation practices would be most useful
  • Greg Allen, M.E.M. Environmental Scientist, USEPA Chesapeake Bay Program, will provide an update on the Chesapeake Bay Agreement

RSVP at mdpestnet@aol.com with your name, title & affiliation

Meeting agenda and details

Our Eighth Annual Meeting brings together Project stakeholders and others interested in protecting the Bay watershed, sharing cutting-edge research and monitoring data on pesticides, discussing initiatives of the Project’s four working groups and collaborating on the direction of the Project. Registration is free and an organic lunch and snacks will be served.
Registration is free & an organic lunch and snacks will be served. Directions to Pearlstone: http://goo.gl/bsxtk4

American Chestnut Land Trust is hiring a Farm Manager for the Double Oak Farm CSA

American Chestnut Land Trust Double Oak Farm CSA …Connecting people with the land
American Chestnut Land Trust
Double Oak Farm CSA
…Connecting people with the land

The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program: ACLT operates a sustainable agriculture program that provides fresh, locally grown produce for up to 25 paid shareholders and 5 work shareholders over a 25-week growing season. The produce is grown using approved organic methods, however, ACLT’s program is not certified under the National Organic Program. Farm improvements include a one-acre fenced area with available drip irrigation, a 70’ x 30’ hoop house, and a 30’ x 30’ timber frame barn for equipment storage. Available equipment includes a vintage Gravely A10 commercial walk behind tractor with 30″ tiller, rotary plow and bush hog attachments; a Troy Bilt 14″ tiller; a Mini Honda tiller; an Agra-Fab 48″ spreader; a Solo broadcast seeder; a Jang Precision Seeder as well as miscellaneous hand tools.

Description of Skills and Duties:
ACLT is seeking a farm manager for the 2014 season. The position requires knowledge of and willingness to perform the following duties: supervise volunteers and work shareholders; coordinate work schedules; follow an existing plan for growing sufficient crops in progression and rotation to assure delivery of a weekly share (adequate for a family of four) of a variety of fresh produce to a maximum of 30 shareholders; carry out application of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides as well as manual control of insects, pests and weeds in accordance with approved organic gardening standards; maintain and operate irrigation system and farm equipment.

The position is flexible, part-time and seasonal (May – October). The farm manager should expect to spend part of every day, Monday – Friday, at the farm supervising volunteers and work shareholders. The number of hours per week will depend on conditions, but is expected to average approximately 30 hours per week over the course of the season. Position pays an hourly wage, depending on experience, and is a temporary position, not eligible for benefits.

A cover letter and description of experience should be sent to:

Karen Edgecombe, Executive Director
American Chestnut Land Trust
P.O. Box 2363
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
 
(410)414-3400

Or email to: Karen Edgecombe

 

 

A Call for Food Transparency

Mike Tabor of Licking Creek Bend Farm, asks Marylanders to contact their legislators to support bills SB0778 and HB1191, before March 2014 in support of GMO labeling.
MOFFA Member, Mike Tabor of Licking Creek Bend Farm, asks Marylanders to contact their legislators to support bills SB0778 and HB1191. Please call or email before March 11, 2014 in support of GMO labeling.

Regarding the March 11th hearings on GMO labeling legislation, Marylanders should contact their legislators to support bills SB0778 and HB1191.  As a farmer and consumer, I believe we should have the right to know if genetically modified organisms are in our food, just as we do with the amount of calories, preservatives and food coloring that consumers fought to have on food labels.  We’re intelligent enough to read, research and choose, if we have the information. Thus, we need to have GMO foods labeled.

Regarding the FDA’S role in protection of the public, FDA does no independent testing of GMOs.  They rely on short term tests conducted by the bio-tech industry!  And FDA’s Chief of Food Safety, Michael Taylor, has been a Monsanto Vice President.  Are these tests and individuals impartial?  You can’t blame the public for being skeptical.

On the argument of selective breeding of seeds, I do want the most disease and pest resistant varieties of seeds when I farm.  But, genetic engineering is a hit or miss, new and risky process of splicing genes from one species (usually animal) into the DNA of another (vegetable).  This is not “natural” and not what is meant by the age old practice of “selective breeding” within the same species.  GMOs are not an extension of “natural breeding”, but rather ultimately meant for company profit because bio-tech companies have received patents on these new life forms.

Monsanto, Syngenta and other bio-tech companies want control of what seeds farmers use.  They have bought up the majority of the smaller seed companies in this country.  The purchase of their GMO seeds mandates the use of their exclusive chemicals such as Roundup (glyphosate) and Atrazine, which have created super weeds that their chemicals can no longer kill.  These chemicals flow into our drinking water.  Syngenta recently lost a $100 million class action suit against many states and municipalities to clean the Atrazine out of the drinking water. Maryland has one of the nation’s highest amounts of Atrazine in its drinking water, but for some unknown reason it was not part of the suit and did not receive any money for the cleanup.

The issues of GMO health dangers have raised enough questions that 64 countries, including the European Union, require labeling.  The bio-tech industry cannot prove to them that GM foods are safe. In fact, we, the American public, never had that choice – and in the end we are really the bio-tech industry’s guinea pigs.

I am always saddened by the fact our governor, and our senate president, and most members of the
General Assembly turn to the MD Dept of Ag for guidance on these issues.  Its head, Buddy Hance, was the former president of the MD Farm Bureau.  The farming sector, which represents only 2% of the Maryland GNP, controls public policy when it comes to the health and safety of 100% of its citizenry, the environment, and health of the Chesapeake Bay.  The Farm Bureau, although composed of family farmers like myself, mostly represents the interests of large corporate farming including the multi-billion dollar profits of the biotechnology chemical companies.  They pour millions of dollars into state campaigns against the labeling of GMO foods because they believe it will cut down on company profits.  Our health and well-being are not a concern of theirs.

So, we, the citizens of Maryland, have the right to know, so we can make informed choices, which is the backbone of a democratic society.  We need to pass a GMO labeling law for ourselves, our children and the future.  Call your state delegates and let them know that!

Michael Tabor is a farmer, consumer and Maryland resident. For more information, visit needtoknowmaryland.org.

 Mike Tabor

Takoma Park, MD
esiegel2@igc.org
240-505-6282 cell