Green News & Events, October 26, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Funding Threatened for Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

Tom Pelton of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation warns that if Congress slashes $23 billion from the federal Farm Bill, as it appears poised to do by next week, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative could be eliminated. The program funds farm runoff control projects in parts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Maryland’s Eastern Shore; and the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. The funds help farmers pay to construct fences to keep cattle out of streams, build manure control facilities, and plant strips of trees and grasses along waterways, among other things. Losing those funds, Pelton claims, would make it much more difficult to reach pollution control goals for the Bay.

States Agree to Form Northeast Electric Vehicle Network

Ten northeast states (including Maryland) and the District of Columbia announced the formation of the Northeast Electric Vehicle Network on October 19 to expedite the deployment of electric vehicles in the region and promote the use of alternative fuels. As part of their ongoing collaboration through the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), the participating jurisdictions will promote all clean vehicles and fuels and facilitate planning for and the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and related infrastructure throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. The group will also work together to attract additional public and private investment in infrastructure for clean vehicles.

Americans Believe U.S. Headed in Wrong Direction on Energy

A poll released on October 19 by The University of Texas at Austin found fewer than 14 percent of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction on energy. The 3,406 respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the job that 26 different organizations, corporations, institutions and government bodies were doing to address energy issues. Congress — with ratings of 8 percent satisfied, 71 percent dissatisfied — ranked dead last. “This survey shows that the public craves leadership on energy issues,” said Bill Powers, President of The University of Texas at Austin. The majority of Americans see energy prices as high and likely to increase. Four out of five are interested in learning more about how to reduce their energy use.

Energy Department to Invest $60 Million in Concentrating Solar Power Technologies

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced on Tuesday (10/25) a $60 million investment over three years for applied scientific research to advance Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technologies. CSP technologies use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight to produce heat, which can then be used to produce electricity. The funding is meant to support research into technologies that have the potential to dramatically increase efficiency, lower costs, and deliver more reliable performance than existing commercial and near-commercial CSP systems. DOE expects to fund roughly 20 – 22 projects, and encourages industry, universities, and National Laboratories to apply.

2012 Beginner Farmer Training Program Accepting Applications

Future Harvest-Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture is accepting applications up to November 30 from new farmers interested in participating in the Beginner Farmer Training Program. Five to ten trainees, mostly college graduates with some farming experience and a commitment to a career in sustainable and/or organic agriculture, will be selected to participate in the free program that begins on January 13, 2012 with a two day conference. Participants will attend workshops one evening per week for eight weeks in February and March at the new Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture. They will undergo field training on a weekly basis at an organic farm in Baltimore Country or Harford County and participate in farm tours and workshops from May through August at various sustainable farms in the region.

Upcoming Green Events

Peter Doo LEED EB: O+M Event, Thursday, October 27, 8:00 – 11:00 am, Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2^nd floor. Building owners, managers, developers and other building professionals are invited to attend a special presentation on LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. Details here.

BG101, Thursday, October 27, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, at Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2^nd floor. Join us for an orientation about Bethesda Green, our history, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Maryland Clean Energy Summit, Thursday, October 27 – Saturday, October 29, Hilton Inner Harbor, Baltimore. Includes a consumer trade show and conference sessions that are FREE TO THE PUBLIC – on Saturday 10/29 9:30 – 2:30. Test drive a Chevy Volt, learn how to use your smart phone to control your home’s thermostat and lighting while you’re away, how to finance home energy improvements and much more. Click here, then scroll down to “Saturday, October 29^th” for more information about the free consumer event.

Audubon Naturalist Society Annual Meeting, Friday, October 28, 6:00-9:30 pm (Program starts at 6:30 pm), Woodend Sanctuary,  MD. Featuring “Looking Back & Forward at Our Region’s Water,” a lively talk by longtime environmental reporter and renowned author Tom Horton. Silent Auction items include six original, framed J.J. Audubon stone lithographs and other rare works of art. More information here.

“The Age of Stupid” Film and Discussion, Friday, October 28, 6:30-9:30 pm, The Festival Center in Adams Morgan, 1640 Columbia Road, NW.  View the climate-change blockbuster film, followed by discussion w/ Mike Tidwell, Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network. More details here.

Rockville Bike Advisory Committee (RBAC) Invites You to Try Nancy’s Bike Route, Saturday, October 29, 2:00 pm. Ride starts at Rockville Memorial Library, heading south toward Bethesda.  Details here.

Bethesda Green First Thursday Happy Hour, Thursday, November 03, 5:00 – 8:00, The Parva Restaurant and Lounge, 7904 Woodmont Avenue. You are invited for casual conversation and networking. Meet the Bethesda Green Incubator Companies and learn more about the Incubator. Enjoy complimentary appetizers in Parva’s beautiful second floor lounge. Donation requested at the door. RSVP at the Bethesda Green Meetup page.

 

Green News & Events, October 19, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Maryland Solar Installation Applications to Double this Year

Margie Hyslop writes in the October 7 Gazette that the state Public Service Commission says it has received 1,550 applications so far this year from Marylanders seeking to certify their homes or businesses as solar renewable energy facilities. At that rate, applications are expected to double the 922 received last year. Montgomery County has more solar power installations than any other jurisdiction in the state. Hyslop says Kevin Lucas of the Maryland Energy Administration estimates 150 to 200 of Maryland’s 1,700 solar power installations are commercial; the rest are residential. The state currently generates 26 megawatts of solar power.

Maryland is not alone in solar energy growth. Public Radio International program, Living On Earth, reports that this year, “the U.S. [solar panel] industry expects to double its production.” The program mentions three reasons for this stunning growth. The first is the federal government solar installation incentive signed by President Bush three years ago. (Not mentioned in the story are the many state and local government incentives.) The second is the huge drop in the cost of solar panels from roughly four dollars and twenty cents a watt three years ago, down to roughly one dollar and twenty cents a watt today. Finally, the advent of solar leasing programs that eliminate the up-front cost of rooftop solar has created a spike in demand.

Gaithersburg Residents Create their Own “Citizens Plan” for Smart Growth

An article by Pam Lindstrom in the October 5 Greater Greater Washington begins with: “Filling a void of vision for a livable, sustainable future for Gaithersburg, my neighbors and I created our own plan for managing growth along the MD-355 corridor.” Lindstrom, with fellow Gaithersburg resident Judy Christensen, and architect Scott Knudson of Wiencek and Associates offering pro bono services, organized three charrettes in spring 2011, inviting neighbors and zoning lawyers representing some of the larger land and building owners in the 355 corridor. They presented their “Citizens’ Plan” to Gaithersburg elected officials and Planning Commission in July, and were met with a positive response. Here is a link to the article and another to a PDF of the Citizens’ Plan on the City of Gaithersburg Website.

Wind Energy: Marylanders are Ready; Are Politicians Willing?

A survey of 805 registered Maryland voters found 62 percent said they are willing to pay an additional $2 per month for electricity if more of it is generated by “clean, local offshore wind farms, instead of coming from coal, oil and gas.” Only 34 percent said they are not willing to pay more. The telephone survey was conducted throughout the state in late September for the National Wildlife Federation and the Offshore Wind Coalition. Margie Hyslop breaks down the poll numbers in the October 10 Gazette, and discusses the possible political ramifications of the survey in a follow up article on October 14.

Hyslop found that politicians who support a Maryland offshore wind farm plan to use the survey results in the next General Assembly session as one justification to move forward. In addition, she says, “advocates are more organized, have hired a lobbyist and are putting together a business coalition” to support the wind farm.

Let your Voice Be Heard; Take the Cycle Maryland Survey

The Maryland Office of Tourism, Department of Transportation, and State Highway Administration are conducting a bicycle user survey to learn more about cyclists in Maryland and what products they would find most useful to help plan bicycle trips. They hope to gain knowledge that will be used to improve cycling products and services. The survey is expected to take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. After you are finished, you may choose to enter a prize drawing. The survey is here. The Cycle Maryland Webpage is here.

County Farmers Selling Pumpkins, Hayrides and Seasonal Fun

Support your local farmer, and have fun doing so! A number of Montgomery County farms are now offering pumpkins and hay rides, pony rides, petting zoos, mazes and haunted houses. For a list of pumpkin farms and their offerings, click here and scroll down to the Montgomery County listings.

Upcoming Green Events

Montgomery County Community Service Week, October 16 – 22. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center invites you to participate.  Attend the Volunteer Engagement Expo on Saturday, October 15 from 1-6pm at White Flint Mall where representatives from 20 local nonprofits will have information about current volunteer opportunities or click here for more information.

Green Home Expo, Saturday October 22, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. This free educational event is held at Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2^nd floor, above Capital One Bank. Learn easy ways to green your home and save money.  Presentations will cover conservation, efficiency and renewable energy.  In addition to industry vendors, meet representatives from nonprofits and Montgomery County government. More information.

Community Forklift Fundraising Extravaganza, Saturday, October 22, 7:00 – 10:30 pm, 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD.
Entertainment by the DC Lady Arm Wrestlers, Silent auction, Wonky Dog food truck, DJ One HeART Muszik, and adult beverages! Must be 21 or over. Community Forklift is a low-cost building materials warehouse open to the general public and a project of Sustainable Community Initiatives, a 501c3 nonprofit. More information on tickets, sponsorships, or to donate a silent auction item.

Community Meeting about Bus Rapid Transit, Monday, October 24, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, Parks and Planning headquarters, 8787   Georgia  Ave., Silver Spring. The Montgomery County Planning Department hosts a community meeting to discuss bus rapid transit (BRT). The proposal includes dedicated traffic lanes for buses along as many as 16 traffic corridors covering 150 miles. Come see where the service is proposed and let the planners know how you think Bus Rapid Transit service can best fit into our community.

Food Day, Monday, October 24, 7:00 pm, at the Church in Bethesda, 5033 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814. You are invited to a local screening of the documentary film “Ingredients” co-sponsored by Church in Bethesda, Bethesda Presbyterian and Graceful Growing Together. The evening will also include short presentations by community members about healthy food, sustainable farms and related topics. Please RSVP if you plan on attending!

LEED for Existing Buildings, Operations + Maintenance Event, Thursday, October 27, 8:00 – 11:00 am, Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2^nd floor. This presentation is designed specifically for building owners, managers, developers and other building professionals. Details here.

BG101, Thursday, October 27, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, at Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Ave., 2^nd floor. Join us for an orientation about Bethesda Green, our history, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Maryland Clean Energy Summit, Thursday, October 27 – Saturday, October 29, Hilton Inner Harbor, Baltimore. Includes a consumer trade show and conference sessions that are FREE TO THE PUBLIC – on Saturday 10/29 9:30 – 2:30. Test drive a Chevy Volt, learn how to use your smart phone to control your home’s thermostat and lighting while you’re away, how to finance home energy improvements and much more. Click here, then scroll down to “Saturday, October 29^th” for more information about the free consumer event.

 

Breaking Bread Together on a Sunday Morning

By Cheryl Kollin, Full Plate Ventures

Caroline Taylor started the discussion off declaring, “I just want to say that I feel humbled joining the panelists gathered here today to talk about our local, sustainable food system.” The Executive Director of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance was indeed in good company joined by activists, farmers, chefs, nutritionists and food lovers.

Cheryl Kollin (Full Plate Ventures), Bill Franz, and Glenda Grogan serving quiche.

Forty people gathered around the table at Bethesda Green on the morning of Sunday, August 21, to enjoy a locally sourced, homemade breakfast.

The discussion, Closing the Loop in our Food System, introduced various perspectives of our local food system. Today’s gathering was the first of three educational and delicious food events in the series, On the Farm; Around the Table – Connecting farmers, food, and community in three meals.

The series, hosted by Bethesda Green and Full Plate Ventures explores the complex issues around building our local, sustainable food system and introduces attendees to those who are the passionate architects of this newly emerging system.

Caroline encouraged the audience to let our County Council know how you feel about protecting Montgomery County’s 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve and to encourage the Council to approve policies that protect and expand local farming.

Caroline was joined on the panel by Shannon Varley, a farmer and owner of Bella Terra Family Farm, who shared the challenges of converting conventional land into organic farming. “My husband and I are painstakingly reclaiming a few acres at a time and have 10 acres in cultivation in which we raise high-quality, grass-fed meat, pastured eggs, vegetables, flowers and herbs.”  She’s fortunate to have secured a long-term lease to farm on. She and Montgomery Countryside Alliance created Land-link, a program to match new farmers with available, affordable land.

Many local farmers sell their wares directly through local farmer’s markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Diane Welland, a registered dietitian and author on the panel discussed how buyers have to shop differently when eating seasonally. “Instead of planning your menu and shopping the aisles of the grocery, you need to see what’s ripe that week at the farmer’s market and then plan your meals,” explained Diane.

Restaurant owners face challenges of finding local sources of food for their menus. Tony Alexis, owner of Yamas Mediterranean Grill, offers a moderately priced menu that includes organic ingredients. “I believe that the sustainable food movement starts with land stewardship, healthy eating choices, and even how my employees are fairly treated,” he shared with the audience. He’d like to source locally, but hasn’t yet found a steady supply—one of the challenges the series highlights and collaborators hope to address, recognizing the need to build an aggregation and distribution system for local foods beyond farmers markets and CSAs.

This series begins to informally build relationships between producers and buyers. “I made some great connections this morning and hopefully will be working as a volunteer one day at Bella Terra Farm,” offered attendee Misha Clive of the Green Business Network. Today’s gathering also proved successful in connecting businesses to one another. “It was a wonderful day to connect,” exclaimed panelist Jessica Weiss, Executive Director of growingSOUL. “It is quite possible that Shannon Varley found a way to feed her animals inexpensively and rejuvenate her soil, while I found a new home to begin municipal composting. It was a very powerful gathering and I look forward to continuing to connect the dots with all of you,” she shared with me after the event.

Jessica calls herself a nutrient aggregator, which as she explained to the audience, “growingSOUL’s mission is to create a holistic zero-waste food system. We collect and compost food waste from restaurants and institutions to return nutrients back to the soil instead of wasting it in landfills.”

Attendees’ interests in this discussion ranged from personally wanting to eat a healthier, locally sourced diet, to professionally engaging in local policy issues around land use and available farm land in Montgomery County. The audience included writers, film makers, and educators all interested in promoting better eating through the growing and production of sustainable foods. The morning was capped off with a tour of the Bethesda Central Farm Market, introduced by founder Mitch Berliner who described the vibrant mix of producers, artisans and musicians he assembles weekly.

Greg Glen from Rocklands Farm.

The series continues Saturday, September 10 with Fertile Ground – A local, sustainable farm tour and lunch. Join us for this family friendly tour of Rocklands Farm, in Poolesville, Maryland, just 35 minutes north of Bethesda. Free bus transportation leaves from Bethesda Green at 11:45 am and returns at 3:30 pm. Lunch will feature Rocklands’ own grass-fed beef burgers with a variety of vegetarian sides and fruit cobbler. The series concludes on September 19 with dinner at Chef Tony’s Restaurant that will feature a menu around seafood, artisan cheeses, local wine and whatever is fresh from the farm that day. For details and registration visit, On the Farm, Around the Table.

Bethesda Green and Full Plate Ventures gratefully acknowledge our supporters, including MOM’s Organic Market, Chef Tony’s Restaurant, Norman’s Farm Market, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, and all of our contributing partners.

 

On the Farm; Around the Table

by Cheryl Kollin, Principal, Full Plate Ventures

Chef Tony Marciante, who plans his local and seasonal menus daily, was amazed to learn recently that there are 561 farms in Montgomery County. Farmer Shannon Varley is so busy between growing food, raising a young family, and finding land for new farmers that she has little time to find new buyers for her meats, vegetables, eggs, and flowers. Red Wiggler’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members can’t understand why there’s a limited supply of their favorite organic vegetables and fruits.

On the Farm; Around the Table – Connecting farmers, food, and community in three meals – explores the complex issues around building our local, sustainable food system and introduces you to those who are the passionate architects of this system. “We’ve invited farmers, chefs, health professionals, conservationists, and consumers to break bread together – literally and metaphorically,” explains Dave Feldman, Executive Director of Bethesda Green, who is co-hosting the events with Full Plate Ventures.

This late summer educational series will also delight the palate with locally-produced and homemade breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dave offers, “What better way to engage people about these issues while enjoying food prepared with the late summer’s bounty grown and prepared by our presenters.” Breakfast will include freshly baked breads with sour cherry jam, fresh fruit, and quiches made with pastured eggs and locally-crafted sausage and vegetables. Lunch will feature Rocklands Farm’s own grass fed beef burgers with a variety of vegetarian salads and fruit cobbler. Dinner at Chef Tony’s Restaurant will feature a menu around seafood, artisan cheeses, local wine and whatever is fresh from the farm that day.

Our first event on August 21, Closing the Loop in Our Food System, will introduce you to the components of a food system and the complexities of fitting pieces of this food puzzle together.

Throughout the On the Farm, Around the Table series, we will introduce you to Full Circle Foods (FCF), a collaboration of entrepreneurial and non-profit businesses that are passionate about building a sustainable and healthy food system in our region. Our goals are ambitious: 1.) Strengthen farmers’ market capacity by aggregating and distributing products into new markets they cannot reach individually; 2.) Establish relationships among growers, aggregators, distributors, and buyers that support ecological growing practices, fair wages for all workers, and the local economy; and 3.) Collect food waste for composting to return nutrients to the soil.

So, fill your plate, meet your farmers, engage in the conversation, and join us for what will be a delicious experience.

Bethesda Green and Full Plate Ventures gratefully acknowledge our supporters, including MOM’s Organic Market, Chef Tony’s Restaurant, and all of our contributing partners.

 

Green News & Events, 8/1/2011

Green News & Events, Week of August 01 – 07, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Earn a Certificate in Commercial Urban Agriculture at PGCC – Prince George’s Community College partners with ECO City Farms to offer the first program of its kind in the region, designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to starting your own urban farm. A total of six courses (28 hours of instruction) make up the Certificate program. The courses are taught by ECO City Farms staff at their urban farm at 4913 Crittenden Street, Edmonston, Maryland, 20781. More information here.

Volunteer and Experience Urban Farming – Not ready to farm for a living, but want to get your hands dirty? You can experience urban farming every Saturday as a volunteer at ECO City Farms. The educational, not-for-profit in Edmonston is designed to serve as a prototype for sustainable local farming. Workshops, potlucks and tours are also available.

Green Tech Company Wins DC Business Plan Competition – For the second year in a row, a green technology company has won the annual Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) Business Plan Competition. The award consists of a $100,000 investment and $50,000 of in-kind services. The winning company, Skyline Innovations, offers solar water heating and energy efficient HVAC systems, with no capital outlay by the customer. EnviRelation, LLC, a District-based business that composts restaurant waste and scraps, was last year’s competition winner.

Planned Solar Installation will Double Maryland Solar Power Production – The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland Solar, LLC was granted a 20-year lease by the state for 250 acres near the Maryland Correctional Institute in Hagerstown. The company plans to install 100,000 solar panels on the land and will create approximately 125 construction jobs, beginning later this year.

Good News for Electric Vehicle Owners – If you own an EV, you will soon be able to buy the GE WattStation Wall Mount Electric Vehicle Charging Station at Lowe’s. GE and Lowe’s have announced the WattStation will be available at 60 Lowe’s stores and nationwide at Lowes.com in September. Lowe’s will be the first retailer to carry the GE product.

More Good News for EV Owners – The nation’s largest drugstore chain plans to become the largest retail host of electric charging stations. Walgreens says it will install electric vehicle charging sites at 800 of its retail locations across the country (including the DC market) by the end of the year. Two types of chargers will be installed. One, a high speed charger, should add 30 miles of driving with a 10 minute charge. The other, a Level 2 charger, is expected to add up to 25 miles of range with a one hour charge. Walgreens also will have more than 100 rooftop solar installations at stores and distribution centers by the end of the year.

Upcoming Green Events

Bethesda Green First Thursday Happy Hour @ Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle, Thursday, August 4, 5:00 PM, 4844 Cordell Avenue. Meet fun, like-minded people and learn about exciting, upcoming Bethesda Green events. Let us know you’re coming!

Green Networking Event at Dirty Martini, Wednesday, August 10, 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Capital Cabal and the Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SBNOW) invite you to enjoy appetizers, drink specials, door prizes and meet dozens of other “green” professionals at the 100% wind electrified Dirty Martini, 1223 Connecticut Avenue NW, (Dupont Circle). $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Preregister here.

2011 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, August 12-20^th. Experience the mobile science lab, Old MacDonald’s barn, animal birthing center & milking parlor, chat with master gardeners at the Bay Friendly Garden, and learn about honeybees. Don’t forget to buy some food and enjoy the rides and contests. More information here.

Closing the Loop in Our Food System: Breakfast, Panel Discussion & Optional Farm Market Visit, Sunday, August 21, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. This is the first in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. Location: Bethesda Green & Bethesda Central Farm Market. More information here.

Maryland Clean Energy Summit 2011, Thursday, August 25 – Saturday, August 27, Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center. More than 60 speakers from business, government and energy non-profits will discuss how Maryland is “Investing in Energy to Generate Jobs.” Clean energy companies and those that serve them will exhibit. This is an excellent education and networking opportunity for those who are in the clean energy field or curious about it.

Fertile Ground: Local Sustainable Farm Tour and Lunch, Saturday, September 10, 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Rocklands Farm, 14525 Montevideo Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837. This is the second in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals.  More information here.

Savor Local Flavor: Four Course Dinner and Discussion with Chef Tony, Monday, September 19, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Chef Tony’s, 4926 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.  This is the third in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. More information here.

 

Green News & Events, 7/25/2011

Green News & Events, Week of July 25 – 31, 2011

by Dan Rudt

Ribbon Cutting for Maryland’s First Wind Farm – Constellation Energy held a ribbon cutting ceremony last week at the site of Maryland’s first commercial wind farm. Constellation’s 28 wind turbines, spread along eight miles of Backbone Mountain in Garrett County, can produce enough electricity for 23,000 homes. Reporter Scott Calvert of the Baltimore Sun reports on the mixed reviews the turbines are receiving from Garrett County residents.

More American Families Growing Their Own Veggies – The National Gardening Association says the number of U.S. households with food gardens grew from 36 million in 2008 to 43 million, or 37% of all households, in 2009. Four out of five home gardeners have at least some college education, while two-thirds of them are over 45 and a slight majority are women. For more information, see the attractive infographic on the Mother Nature Network, or mnn.com.

Maryland Wins Federal Grant for Conservation and Parklands – Senators Cardin and Mikulski have announced a $723,598 matching grant to the state from the Department of Interior’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). According to the press release, the LWCF grant “will enable Maryland’s state and local governments to establish urban parks and community green spaces; to restore and provide public access to rivers, lakes and other water resources; and to conserve natural landscapes for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment.” LWCF matching grants “leverage public and private investment in state and local public outdoor recreation.”

Car Sharing Provides Multiple Benefits to City of Baltimore – Zipcars, Inc., which has provided car sharing services in Baltimore for the past year, has released results of a Baltimore member survey showing multiple benefits for the city, as well as for Zipcar drivers. Nearly half the survey respondents were able to avoid buying a car, while 18% sold their existing cars. Some said they drive less and walk, bike and use public transit more than they did a year ago. For the city, fewer cars means less pollution, less congestion and less competition for parking spaces.

Sustainable Food Jobs – Sustainablefoodjobs.wordpress.com has been around since 2009, so this may not, strictly speaking, belong in a news roundup, but if you are interested in the field and not familiar with the site, it is well worth visiting. Unlike the many sites that waste your time with jobs that are unrelated to your search term, all the listings I have seen are actual sustainable food jobs! The site also provides links to college programs in sustainable agriculture as well as sustainable food blogs and companies and organizations you can contact for information and networking.

Volunteers Needed to Distribute Recycling Info at MC Ag Fair – The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection seeks volunteers to staff recycling information tables during the upcoming County Agricultural Fair, August 12 – 20. To volunteer or request additional information, contact the Recycling Volunteer Program at (240) 777-6445 or ana.arriaza@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Upcoming Green Events

The Buy Local Challenge, July 23 – 31. Support Maryland farms. Eat at least one thing from a local farm every day during Buy Local Week. And, bring the challenge to your workplace today.

BG 101, Thursday, July 28, 4 – 5:30 pm. Bethesda Green’s monthly orientation session. Learn about Bethesda Green history, programs, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Home Canning Demonstration, Saturday, July 30, 10:30 – 11:30 am. Learn to can food at the Bethesda FreshFarm Farmers Market at Veteran’s Park, corner of Woodmont and Norfolk.

Connecting Local Farms, Food, and Community in Three Meals

Join Bethesda Green and Full Plate Ventures to enjoy the gastronomic pleasures of three local, seasonal, and home-style meals while meeting those who are building a healthy, local, sustainable food system in our region. Register early; space is limited!

• Closing the Loop in Our Food System: Breakfast, Panel Discussion & Optional Farm Market Visit, Sunday, August 21, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Location: Bethesda Green & Bethesda Central Farm Market. More information here.

• Fertile Ground: Local Sustainable Farm Tour and Lunch, Saturday, September 10, 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Location: Rocklands Farm, 14525 Montevideo Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837. More information here.

• Savor Local Flavor: Four Course Dinner and Discussion with Chef Tony, Monday, September 19, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Location: Chef Tony’s, 4926 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. More information here.

 

Farm Market Reflections

Farm Market Reflections
by Esther Shmunis

Walking up Woodmont Avenue and turning onto Elm Street, I pass by the familiar restaurants and movie theatre. This time, on an early Sunday morning, the atmosphere and environment has completely changed. The street typically used for quiet, casual walks is now bustling with people circling multi-colored tents and marveling at various delicacies, meats, herbs and even copper wares being sold.

Sample offerings from Woodhall Wine Cellars

On Elm Street, between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenue, the Bethesda Central Farm Market is stationed, offering an array of unique and interesting products. For example, among the archetypal wines it sells, Woodhall Wine Cellars offers a “Party Garnet” flavor, a blend of “candied fruit” with a subtle scent of “bubblegum, cotton candy, and strawberry.” It also produces a “Party Harmony” blend, composed of different tropical fruit flavors with a “touch of honey.” Though these festive wines receive some attention, purchasers play it safe with popular dry red wines like the Chambourcin and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Near the wine station, veal and goat meat products draw much buyer attention. The proprietor explains that her farm is not a cruel slaughterhouse. Animals are not injected with hormones and stuffed in small cages; instead they are given normal healthy food to consume and plenty of room to roam free.

Though the food and products displayed may seem like an integral part of the market experience, what makes the farm market truly special is the diverse people it attracts. Rather than solo shoppers going on their routine errands to buy some fresh and organic produce, the street is filled with couples, families, and dog walkers, who enliven an otherwise mundane custom. With these people’s energy and enthusiasm to discover, analyze, or merely peruse new and exciting products, the Bethesda Central Farm Market gives selling what some may call “ordinary” food a completely new meaning.

Esther Schmunis is a graduating senior at the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville. After attending Midreshet Amit in Israel for a year, she plans to go to Syms Business School at Stern College in New York.

 

Bethesda Green Hungers for Changing the Way We Eat

by Cheryl Kollin, Full Plate Ventures

Forty food lovers, farmers, business people and activists gathered at Bethesda Green’s TEDx Manhattan Viewing Party February 12 and settled in for a day-long live streaming presentation about “Changing the Way We Eat.”  The independently organized TED event featured 22 live presentations from New York on many aspects of the sustainable food movement and the work being done to shift our food system from industrially-based agriculture to one in which healthy, nutritious food is accessible to all.

Dr. William Li presented compelling evidence of how certain foods, like strawberries, hard cheeses, papaya, chocolate, artichokes, fish, and black raspberries can starve cancer.  Brooklyn-based Dr. Melony Samuels, director of the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, changed a conventional food pantry into an alternative supermarket to restore dignity among its recipients.  She also transformed one backyard into an urban farm to provide more local fresh produce for seniors with diabetes, heart, and cancer  and by doing so, inspired her neighbors to transform their own yards into 2,000 sq. ft  of gardens for growing vegetables.

Laurie David, author of “The Family Dinner” harkens back to my own childhood and cites all the health, and family bonding statistics on why families should eat dinner together.

The TEDxManhattanViewing Party attracted:

• 11 countries
• 40 Bethesda Green viewers
• 130 viewing parties
• 14,014 computer logins
• 46,382 total viewing streams

Ken Cook, president and founder of Environmental Working Group put our nation’s growing demand for local and sustainably-grown food in perspective:  Sales of organic food is now a $25 billion industry, however, it only represents 1% of land farmed today.  Community supported agriculture (CSA) has grown from two in 1986 to more than 4,000 offerings in 2010 but still represents less than 1% of the entire food supply.   He urged everyone to learn about the Farmbill and to contact their Congressional representatives in support of sustainable food systems when the debate for 2013 reauthorization soon begins.

Josh Viertel, executive director of Slow Food, USA believes that with our growing public awareness of food issues,  we need to shift from enlightened eaters to engaged citizens.  He believes that change is not longer just about individuals voting with our forks, increasing the demand for healthy, locally-grown food. We must become engaged in changing the food system within our whole community.  This was the perfect lead-in to our off-line Bethesda Green discussions about our local Foodshed, defined simply as where our food is produced and eaten.

Today there are about 90 farmers markets in the Washington Metropolitan region and agriculture contributes approximately $1 billion annually to our regional economy.  In Montgomery County, our 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve contributes $250 million in food annually to the local economy, however, there is much more demand than supply to meet our growing desire for local and sustainably-produced food.

TEDx Viewing Party attendees break for a locally-produced and prepared pot-luck lunch. No Costco or Safeway food here! Photo by Bill Franz

In the spirit of eating together, Bethesda Green’s attendees were challenged (in February!) to contribute a locally-produced and prepared potluck dish for lunch.  Our table was graced with a bounty of seasonal, locally-grown, and homemade treats — including Devora’s KOL Foods grilled grass-fed beef, Cindy’s homemade roasted winter vegetables in pastry, Claudia’s freshly homemade Schnitzbread with dried apples and maple glaze and Kristina’s mom’s homemade apricot preserves.  Each dish was labeled with its ingredients and source and none of it came from Costco or Safeway.

Over lunch, our local speakers gave attendees a taste of what’s happening in our area.   Kristina Bostick, Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA), spoke of the vision of Montgomery County to preserve farm and open space 31 years ago, and MCA’s work to support farming and protect the land from modern day encroachments.  Mike Kennedy described Fox Haven Farm in Frederick County as an incubator to grow new land-based technologies and entreprenurial businesses on land undergoing conversion to organic status.

Kati Gimes discussed the joy of eating and learning with Slow Food DC members at monthly events at food establishments and farms. Debra Tropp, of USDA, directed the audience to the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website that consolidates federal funding and knowledge sharing in a one-stop shop.

Jessica Weiss of GrowingSOUL passed around a bin that collected all the lunchtime compostable dishware and food scraps as she explained her zero-wasted sustainable closed loop food system.  She’ll take our food scrap donation, compost it into rich a growing medium and donate it to farms that grow food for food banks and the community.  She does this while driving a truck fueled by waste vegetable oil.

During our afternoon break, Bethesda Green attendees broke into small discussion groups and generated ideas of how our community can educate our community and change our local food system. Bethesda Green, serving as a catalyst for initiating sustainable projects, will cultivate these ideas among volunteer coordinators.

“It was great getting together to view the presentations with a group of people with the same interests so that thoughts and ideas could be shared during the breaks,” said local attendee Lori Wark who manages the website, Adventures in Climate Change.  “I also enjoyed meeting the many interesting people and have begun to think of ways we can work together.”

The TEDxManhattan presentations were recorded in three sessions and are available until 6 pm ET on Feb. 26th.

Session 1
Session 2
Session 3

Cheryl Kollin is principal of Full Plate Ventures, who provides business consulting to clients who serve a social mission.  She hosted the TEDx Viewing Party at Bethesda Green.

 

From Button Farm to Food Bank

Fox5 had a great story last week about how Manna Food Center buys fresh produce from local farmers–including Button Farm, which is run by the Menare Foundation, a Bethesda Green Business Incubator company.

Any leftover produce from grocery stores or the participating farms gets put into compost bins and sent back to the farms to become natural fertilizer to grow more produce. A complete circle! Check out the Fox5 story and video report.

 

Down On The Farm in Montgomery County

By Beverly Firme, guest blogger

Montgomery County’s 2010 Farm Tour and Harvest Sale took place this past weekend.  Of the 14 participating farms,  I selected four to visit:  a rescue farm that cares for retired or neglected farm animals, a family farm, a Dairy Barn, and a living history center.  I had a great day and look forward to visiting these farms again – all have programs throughout the year!

I started out from my usual point on Saturday mornings – Suburban Traders in Kensington.  I’m hoping they’ll be on the Farm Tour next year and we can all visit the 3 acres they’ve just started farming in Olney.  Fortified with a farm breakfast Kensington-style – baby swiss, roasted onions, potatoes, eggs and spicy coppa on puff pastry and a cup of coffee, I headed out to pick up my friend Marggy – taking along a Hanger Steak, Blue Cheese and Arugula sandwich and a Nut Bar for later.  I figured I’d be working up an appetite despite the heat.

Rocky the holstein steer munches hay at Star Gazing Farm.

Star Gazing Farm (Boyds, MD)
Our first stop was Star Gazing Farm, a farm animal sanctuary.  The friendly volunteer staff directed us into the farm and to the animals.  We visited with Louie, a Morgan horse and Graham, a Boer goat.  Pictures of the farm’s animals were posted by the staff on fences that included their ‘story’ – how they came to the farm and details about each animal.  For instance, Graham is apparently an escape artist.  The staff also directed us to Rocky and Bullwinkle, both Hostein steer.  Bullwinkle was nowhere in sight but Rocky kept one eye on Marggy and I as he ate some hay.

Star Gazing Farm is a non-profit organization supported by private donations, fundraising and services such as bunny sitting and shearing sheep, goats, alpaca and llamas for other farms.  Animals at the Farm range from chickens, ducks and bunnies to pigs, goats, the steer, a horse and a donkey.  The loyalty and enthusiasm of the volunteer staff is evident and for the Farm Tour many were on hand at information tables or near the animals, ready to answer questions and encourage visitors to pet the animals.  This is a don’t miss when they are open to the public.  You’ll enjoy your experience at Star Gazing Farm.

Lewis Orchards (Dickerson, MD)
We moved on to Lewis Orchards, which has been family owned and operated since 1888 and is open from mid-June through Thanksgiving.  This is a produce farm and the busy farm market is on a hill overlooking their fields – a perfect view and setting.   The farm market was filled with the bounty of summer – peaches, tomatoes, corn, string beans, onions, zucchini, eggplant, watermelon.  Refrigerator cases hold locally produced milk, cream, cheese and eggs.

The market – and the parking lot – was crowded.   We looked at the produce – fresh, inviting, and very colorful.  Marggy did some shopping, I grabbed a Birch Beer from the soda fridge and we got in line.   The staff kept the line moving quickly, and we were soon back in the car and on our way.  Lewis Orchards is a great destination and we will definitely return.  Apple picking in the fall!

King Barn Dairy MOOseum (Germantown, MD)
How can you pass up a MOOseum?  This was next on our list.  In the 1950s there were more than 300 dairy farms in Montgomery County; the MOOseum is a dairy heritage museum that preserves this heritage and offers the hands-on experience of milking faux cows.  Located in the South Germantown Recreational Park, the barn is up and ready for visitors!

We went inside the Dairy Barn to see all things cows and dairy.  Volunteers and supporters have put in 8 years of dedicated work and planning and it shows.   Photographs and memorabilia line the walls of the barn, and replicas of dairy cows stand in the stalls ready for milking.  On a hot day the Barn was cool(ish) and quiet.  You could imagine the life of a dairy farmer on such a day, the cows in their stalls, tails flicking, a ‘moo’ here and there.   Walking through the Barn, volunteers were eager to talk about the dairy heritage of the County and to encourage us to enjoy the barn and their exhibits.  With much more planned for the MOOseum, this is a great stop to keep an eye on.  A Grand Opening is planned for October 23, 2010!

An old barn at the Button Farm

Button Farm Living History Center (Germantown, MD)
The Button Farm, located in Seneca Park and secured as a long-term lease by the Menare Foundation, is Maryland’s only living history center depicting 19th century slave plantation life. (Menare Foundation is a Bethesda Green Business Incubator company.) We drove in, parked, and walked to the Button Farm House (circa 1927) to sign in.  We were greeted by Anthony who encouraged us to visit their Museum Garden filled with peppers, leeks, peas, herbs and anything else a plantation might grow for their needs.  A Civil-War era Barn is on the property near the garden.  We walked around the garden, down to the Barn and into the 19th century.

A patch of Carolina black peanuts at the Button Farm

Walking on the farm we listened to the music of Anthony Hyatt, Fiddler.  Anthony played period tunes as a great backdrop to the quiet peace of this 60-acre farm.  Aquabarrel was also there with a display of rain barrels – reminding us that in the 19th century farmers made use of rain barrels for their water supply. (Aquabarrel is also a Bethesda Green Business Incubator company.)

The Button Farm holds many events during the year.  Anthony says one of their best is their Fall Festival held during the first weekend in November – with demonstrations, storytelling, tours – and a cider press!  Don’t miss this unique living history opportunity in Montgomery County.  You’ll enjoy it immensely.

All the heat and the trip to the MOOseum had us thinking of ice cream, so Marggy and I finished our trip with a stop at Sprinkles in Potomac.   Although we hope the weather’s cooler next year, we’re already looking forward to this Farm Tour in 2011.  It was a great day, we saw and learned a lot, really enjoyed the Tour and look forward to other events at these locations.

Star Gazing Farm, the MOOseum and Button Farm all accept donations and volunteers – and Lewis Orchards always welcomes customers!  Please consider visiting and supporting these Farms and the others on the Montgomery County Farm Tour.

(Photos by Beverly Firme)