Bethesda Green

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)

Passing along some event info for ya’ll:

THE BETHESDA ROW COMMUNITY SHRED
Sunday, August 15
10am – 2pm

Located on: Bethesda Lane at Elm Street (Upstairs at Bethesda Row Loading Dock)

Sponsored by:  Bethesda Row, Equinox Fitness of Bethesda, Bethesda Green

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.  In fact, this crime may take many forms and often without any warning to you!  Clean Cut Shredding, Inc. utilizes the experience gained from over 100 years of recycling solutions from its parent company Georgetown Paper Stock of Rockville, by offering the Washington area’s most complete shredding solutions.

Note:  Clean Cut Shredding will shred all paper into confetti-sized pieces, and then recycle the confetti into household paper products.

Join us Sunday, August 15th outside of the Upstairs at Bethesda Row loading dock on Bethesda Lane (at Elm Street)  from 10am and 2pm.  This event will be complete with Clean Cut’s very own 27ft. truck/shredder outfitted with a monitor – so you know the job is getting done!  Please note: Plastic items such as CDs and Credit Cards are not permitted. We will also have our strong and trusted volunteers from the NEW Equinox Fitness of Bethesda on hand to assist with any transporting you may need.  Learn more about Equinox’s commitment to living green.

Here are a few more July green events for the greater DC area–one is TONIGHT! (I forgot to include them earlier in the week.) Both take place at Community Forklift.

• Thurs. July 22, 6:30-7:30 pm – Ask the Green Builder — Brian Higgins will discuss environmentally-friendly improvements to his own house and take questions about your homes.  He is president of Green Home LLC, a local company that aims to be “the smart, affordable choice for energy efficient, healthy, and earth friendly additions, renovations and solar heating.”
• Wed. July 28, 6:30-7:30 pm – Ask the Home Energy Expert — David Brosch is an energy auditor, trained weatherization practitioner, certified HERS rater, and a certified home performance contractor.  He will explain what all these terms mean, share tips for reducing your energy bills, and answer your questions.  David’s local business, Green Homes Blue Sky LLC, was formed to offer homeowners energy conservation and green construction services.  Their goal is “to make the world a little bit better and your home a lot better.”

Location:

Community Forklift, the Thrift Store for Home Improvement
4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston MD 20781 (Hyattsville area, east of Takoma Park)

Contact: Ruthie@CommunityForklift.com

Here’s what’s in green news this week.

• Optimism Reigns at Md. Green Economy Forum – State government officials and business leaders from green companies sounded upbeat about the prospects for creating and retaining more green jobs in Maryland, at the state’s first Green Economy Forum last week. The event’s centerpiece was the release of a report by the governor’s Green Jobs & Industry Task Force. The report identified six recommendations to create and retain green jobs, support clean and renewable energy, protect Maryland’s communities and preserve the state’s natural resources.
• Maryland Markets Hotels to Green-Minded Guests – State program names the Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, as its first “Green Travel Partner.”
• Silver Spring’s NOAA a Leader in BP Oil Cleanup – Employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Silver Spring have often been working 16-hour days, 7 days a week, to map the flow of oil-contaminated water, alert commercial ships of clean water routes, set up ship-cleaning stations to prevent the spread of oil and deal with the catastrophic environmental impact of the BP oil spill.
• Building an Ultra-efficient Car for XPrize Contest – The entry from a team of mechanics and engineers from Lynchburg, Va., reached the final round in the Progressive Automotive X Prize contest, an international competition to build the first car that can go 100 miles on a gallon of gas and at least 200 miles without refueling.
• Chevy Volt Will Carry 8-Year Battery Warranty – GM announced last week that the primarily electric Chevy Volt, due in showrooms this fall, will come with an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Local Green Events

• July 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pepco 2010 D.C. Appliance Swap: Customers can bring in old, inefficient appliances that Pepco will safely recycle at no cost to the customer. Pepco will also be handing out applications for and information about available rebates on the purchase of certain ENERGY STAR ® qualified appliances. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a $1,000 Home Depot gift card! Location: Home Depot at 901 Rhode Island Ave., NE.
• July 24-25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Montgomery County’s 21st Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale – Spend a day or two in the country petting farm animals or having lunch by a scenic pond. Purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and more. Pick your own at some farms! Visit one or more of 14 participating farms (and one vineyard)–including one farm (Button Farm Living History Center) run by a Bethesda Green Incubator organization,The Menare Foundation.
• July 26, 8-9:30 a.m. – Introduction to the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program – Takes place at the BCC Chamber of Commerce, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1204, Bethesda. The session will also cover an introduction to Bethesda Green and Montgomery College’s Sustainability Practitioner Certificate.
• July 29, 4-5:30 p.m. – Bethesda Green 101 – This monthly session provides the history of Bethesda Green and information about how to get involved as a volunteer or intern.

Here are some of the latest green news stories and events for Bethesda and Montgomery County, Maryland.

• Restaurants Brace for Gulf Oil Spill Fears: Potential customers want to know if seafood is available and whether it is tainted or not, according to this article in the Montgomery Gazette.
• Some BP Stations See Drop in Sales Due to Oil Spill Backlash: Local station owners say anger is misplaced; some endure reduction in business up to 50 percent. AAA says sales have fallen across the nation.
• Grass-roots Gripes About Artificial Turf Gain Traction: After being pushed by concerned parents and environmental groups, the Montgomery County Council has asked three county agencies to conduct a study of the costs, risks and benefits of artificial turf fields versus natural grass fields.
• How to Conquer the Invasive Lionfish? Eat It Until It’s Gone: The relentless invasive predator is decimating coral-reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The solution for this endangered species, according to a Washington Post story: Catch and sauté it, until it’s gone from its non-native range.
• Goldman, Bethesda Green Among Washington’s Green Giants: Washingtonian Magazine has a “Green Giants” online feature that includes Bethesda Green co-founder Seth Goldman. The print edition (May issue?) also mentions BG Executive Director Dave Feldman.

Local Green Events

• July 13, 6:30 p.m. — RePower at Home Meeting in Bethesda: Montgomery County Kick Off meeting of RePower at Home at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd. Learn how to make energy improvements in your home a breeze.  RePower at Home explores ways to reduce home energy usage. Repower at Home is project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a national nonprofit group. RSVP to Brenna Muller, brenna.muller (at) climateprotect.org.
• July 13, 7-9 p.m. — Green Night Out with Green DMV — This fundraiser for non-profit group Green DMV features Van Jones and will be hosted by NBC4’s Wendy Rieger. Green DMV promotes clean energy and green jobs in low-income communities across America as a pathway out of poverty. Takes place at the Longview Gallery, 1234 9th Street, NW.
• July 14, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. — RainScapes Overview Program Class: This class will be a general overview of the RainScapes program with special emphasis to landscape contractors but all are welcome to attend to learn more about the program. Class highlights will include Rainscapes techniques design criteria, how to earn and properly fill out a Rebate application as well as an introduction into program opportunities in the Targeted Neighborhoods in the County.
  The class will be held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center in Bethesda at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd floor from 9am-1pm.  Pre-requisite: Must have attended a previous training course to attend.  To register and get info, e-mail Rainscapes.application@montgomerycountymd.gov.
• July 27 and 28, 7-8:30 p.m. — Help Shape the Future of Parks and Recreation in Montgomery County! Montgomery Parks, M-NCPPC, and the Montgomery County Recreation Department are hosting public meetings to share the results of Vision2030 research, and to seek public feedback on how best to address key issues and needs identified through our survey and focus groups. Input will help guide the long-term planning for our county’s parks and recreation services, facilities, and programs.  For more information go to:  http://visionmontgomery2030.org/.  There will be two sessions:

1. Tuesday, July 27, 7-8:30 pm, Park and Planning Headquarters, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
2. Wednesday, July 28, 7-8:30 pm, Upcountry Regional Services Center, Room A, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown

As the sun sloped down, the air cooled to a blissful eighty-five degrees, like a breath of fresh air, all of the members of Bethesda Green arrived at the Bethesda Big Train Baseball game. Rolling in alongside of them were the members of Dartmouth’s “Big Green Bus,” a group of ten students riding around the country on a bus fueled with restaurant grease to raise awareness for the environment.

As the normal crowd for the game began to arrive, I was reminded of the lesser-known laws of physics.

The fourth law states: People will gravitate toward free samples. Honest Tea, who had also joined us in reveling in the summer evening, knew this truth well. As I saw swarms of people downing different varieties of tea, from “Orange Mango Lemonade” to “Peach White Tea” it was evident that Honest Tea’s wisdom was not limited to the proverbs they place on the side of their bottles.

The fifth law states: People love large shiny objects. This was the root of the popularity of the “Big Green Bus.” Even I succumbed to the siren call of seeing what was inside of the bus (which did in fact turn out to be pretty awesome).

Now, I could say that I was upset over the lack of attention paid to Bethesda Green’s table. But after the hubbub of Solar Bethesda, I, along with everyone else, was relishing an evening to relax with his or her families and friends at Bethesda Green. So, although I must regrettably say that no large strides in environmental awareness were made that night, the evening did not end without its small successes. The event helped form or cement many of the friendships that will create a thriving green community that in the long term will have an enormous positive impact.

In a company that is composed largely of volunteers, in a blooming industry where word of mouth is essential, everyone knows that even the smallest connections can one day lead to very large changes.

This article could quite easily end here on its delightfully cheesy note. However, I would like to interject a small anecdote that has simultaneously sealed my faith in the third law of physics while also forcing me to look into the conspiratorial nature of environmental businesses.

The third law of physics, for all of you who did not pay attention in science class, is: never under-estimate the selling power of a cute little kid (your science teacher might beg to differ). The anecdote begins with a conversation with Sonya’s (creator of “EverGreen Home Coffee”) nine-year-old daughter. In the span of five minutes, this little girl not only convinced me that I should drink EverGreen Home coffee, but that I also know nothing about coffee. She thereby has managed to both pull my faith from Wikipedia as the supreme center of knowledge, and has managed to do so with such a large smile that I can see no other option for my next actions. I must go and hunt for cuddly kittens and chocolate (physics laws one and two) to garner attention for Bethesda Green. The Bethesda Big Train Game might have been a few hours of respite for our company, but I promise, the next time we are all together, we are going to pack so much Adorable in our literature, that everyone will have no option but to Go Green with envy.

Honest Tea, Big Green Bus, and The EverGreen Home Coffee, please bring your A game.

Do you know a person, company, non-profit group or community that is doing great, green things in Montgomery County or Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.?

Then nominate them for the 2010 Bethesda Magazine Green Awards! Winners will be profiled in the November/December issue of Bethesda Magazine and recognized at the Bethesda Green Gala on Oct. 7, 2010.

You can nominate a regional green champion in one of 5 categories:

1. Businesses or non-profit organizations in Montgomery County that have created an innovative green product, are selling an innovative green service, and/or are promoting a green lifestyle.
2. Businesses or non-profit organizations that have significantly incorporated green practices into their culture and operations.
3. Communities (neighborhoods, school organizations, condo associations, faith-based organizations etc.) that are promoting and implementing green practices.
4. People, 19 or older, who are actively promoting and living a green lifestyle.
5. People, 18 or younger, who are actively promoting and living a green lifestyle.

Nominations accepted through July 16 by Bethesda Magazine.

• Get Complete Eligibility Information
• Submit Nomination

Let’s recognize and celebrate the businesses, non-profits, communities and individuals that are leading the local fight to protect the environment!

As of Tuesday morning, July 6, WSSC lifted water restrictions that had been in effect for five days in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

WSSC says the pipe replacement in Potomac is complete and water safety standards have been met.  Customers can return to normal usage.

Work to restore the dig site on Tuckerman Lane will continue for several days.  WSSC wants to thank the residents and motorists in the area for their patience. Visit WSSCwater.com for more info.

Even though the restrictions are gone, you can still conserve water! Check out these resources:

• Water Conservation Tips (WSSC)
• WaterSense (EPA)
• Water: Use It Wisely (Alliance for Water Efficiency)

Here’s what’s happening in green…

• Potomac Water Main Repairs, Restrictions Likely to Wrap Up July 5 – The Washington Post reported the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission is on track to complete repairs to a water main Monday. The agency does not plan to extend water restrictions past Monday.    Latest From WSSC |  How to Save Water & Keep Plants Happy
• Community Rally Saves Oak Tree in D.C. – Crowd gathers to save 100-year-old tree from development plans.
• Hundreds of Dead Fish Found in Potomac River – The Montgomery Gazette reports high water temperatures probably killed the catfish.
• MoCo Environment Department Wants Your Feedback — The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection invites the public to participate in a 5-minute online survey to gauge public opinion and knowledge of programs related to maintaining and improving the health of streams.
• Jane Lawton Center in Chevy Chase to Feature First County Solar Roof Program — The Leggett Administration has agreed to make the Jane Lawton Recreation Center the site of the Division of General Service’s first solar roof program.
• A Transit-Friendly Tyson’s Would Support Growth, Cut Auto Traffic—Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney describes how the plan for a walkable Tyson’s Corner, served by transit, would curb auto reliance while accommodating population and job growth.

Local Green Events:

• July 6, 6:45 p.m.: Life in Edo Japan – An Ancient Model for Living Green – In this lecture, architect and author Azby Brown explores this ancient Japanese society and illustrates how policies of restraint and living in harmony with nature helped them address environmental issues such as overpopulation, food production and clean water. Part of the Smithsonian Resident Associates program. $25 for general public, $15 for members.
• July 24-25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: 21st Annual MoCo Farm Tour and Harvest Sale — Montgomery County will celebrate its agricultural heritage, promote local farms and indulge in seasonally fresh food during the 21st Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale.  Fourteen farms will participate this year on Saturday July 24, and 10 will reopen for a second day on Sunday, July 25.  The farms will be open both days from 10 am to 4 pm.

Watch the Bethesda Green Calendar for more upcoming events. If you know of additional green news and events, post them in the comments section!

We’ve all had to sacrifice in order to comply with the mandatory water restrictions WSSC has instituted while it replaces part of a water main in Potomac. They want us to cut water use by 30 percent; so far, customers used 5 percent less water on July 2 and 8 percent less water July 3. So there’s a long way to go.

For many people, one big issue is how to keep gardens and plants thriving. Well, WSSC has a huge list of “Tips on Keeping Your Plants Happy During Mandatory Restrictions.” The advice includes collecting shower water as you’re waiting for it to heat up, dumping cooking water in the garden (from pasta or veggies), using dehumidifier water, and even mulching your plants. Reusing water in these ways is okay.

Plus, they have a reminder that native plants need less water, so in the future plant them and you won’t have to worry.

WSSC also has this list of year-round Water Conservation Tips; just remember WSSC has banned outdoor water use until they lift the restrictions. [Reusing water as mentioned above is okay.]

These restrictions truly test our ability to conserve water, get by only with what we need, and waste nothing (or very close to it). Now’s the time for all of us to do our part; there’s nothing “greener.”

Remember, by using less water, you’re ensuring that fire departments in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have an adequate supply to fight fires.

*Note*: For the latest water restriction updates, visit wsscwater.com.

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Do you have more water-saving tips? Share them here!