The Ecosystem Farm presents its season for 2013. Included are important dates, the CSA at a glance, and some principles of sustainable agriculture as they relate to the Ecosystem Farm. Please feel free to use any of this content in your interpretation of our beautiful space.

1. The Ecosystem Farm
Plan 2013

2. What do we do at the Ecosystem Farm?

4. What is SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE?
- sequesters carbon in the soil -We till (open the soil) as little as possible,
and produces food with energy plant cover crops to cover it, maintain
efficient methods healthy soil to reduce nutrient loss
- increases soil organic matter -Cover crops add organic matter, as does
and a diversity of living soil
organisms compost. We are careful with our tractor
- improves water quality and work to maximize healthy tilth of soil.
quantity -We manage the farm so nutrients are
- improves biodiversity leached into the groundwater, river, or
- improves the health of soil, surrounding swamp.
plants, animals, farm workers, -We spray minimal organic pesticides only
consumers when absolutely necessary.
- increases farm financial -Healthy people: farmers and customers.
viability by reducing
dependence on inputs and -Making soil healthy = healthy plants, long
providing farmers a fairer term balance in soil (amendments &
return for their products fertilizers)
- (from the Canadian Organic -MONEY = farming is a viable career /
Growers) lifestyle

5. The Farm Staff
• Daniel A Note about Farmer Training: Through
• Holli on-farm training and formal classes and
projects, apprentices at the Ecosystem
• Becky Farm share in the work and vision of the
• Mystery farm in order to prepare them for a future
in sustainable agriculture. Our model
Apprentice –
functions as a market-driven operation in
mid-May order to present the realities of
participating in a sustainable agriculture
business.

6. CSA 2013
• First week in July – first week in December
• Tuesday pickups are BOX pickups, 3:30 – 6:30
• Friday pickups are MARKET-STYLE pickups, 3:30 - 6:30

7. CSA 2013 cont’d.
• Boxes include 20
weeks of produce, a
cookbook of EcoFarm-
specific produce, 2
canvas bags, and an
Accokeek Foundation
membership.
• Total for the season is
$575

9. Important CSA Dates
• First pickup of every month: Farmer Happy
Hour(s) - we will be present at every first week’s
pickup to greet and meet and catch up. The other
three pickups of the month, we will probably be
out in the fields!
• July 7: Welcome Potluck
• August 11: CSA U-Pick / Workday
• September 21: Harvest Event with the National
Colonial Farm
• November 10: Fall Potluck with CSA Community

10. Pieces of the Puzzle
• Compost
• Food Justice
• CRAFT
• Extending the Season
• Beneficial Insect
Plantings
• Pastured Poultry
• Mushrooms
• Beekeeping

11. Communication
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/ecosystemfarm
• Accokeek Website
• NO VOICEMAIL PLEASE!
• Use Cell Number and Email
• csa@accokeek.org
• Becky’s cell: 301-247-0848 – call when someone is
looking for us!
Meg’s role:
-Take CSA phone questions
and payments
-Field Notes preparation
-General administrative
support for CSA

12. Worktrades at the Ecofarm 2013
• Greeters at CSA pickups - 2 positions available
- Tuesday and Friday greeters needed, to act as a liaison
between farm staff and CSA members, help with checking
off members and answering any questions about the
produce that week.
• Ecosystem Farm Gardener - one position available
- This position is designed for a local gardener to help us
with the maintenance of our perennial herbs and flower
beds as well as occasional work in our orchard.
• Field Notes Editor - one position available
- This position was created to help us with our weekly
publication of the CSA newsletter Field Notes. Someone
with creative vision and an interest in digital art would be
ideal.
• Tom - Mowing

13. Ecosystem Farm On-Farm Market
• Open on Saturdays –
11 – 3?
• Produce sold at retail
prices
• Open to all – tours
also offered during
this time
• Still figuring out
details

15. • Botany Study Group
Instructor: Holly Poole-Kavana
April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Aug. 26, Oct. 7, Nov. 4
• April 4, 2013 - Accepting Federal Nutritional Benefits at Farmers Markets
in DC and MD
• April 20 from 10-2 Oyster Mushroom Cultivation
Instructor - Holli Elliott
• April 27 from 9-12 Respectful, Chemical Free Beekeeping 101
Instructor: Stefano Briguglio of Azure B LLC
• April 27 from 1-4 - Walk in the Park Series - Wild Plant ID
Instructor: Holly Poole-Kavana
• Hooked on Fishing for Kids 8-15
• May 13 from 5:00-7:00 pm Gardening With Dan
Instructor: Daniel Michaelson
May 20 from 6:30-8:30 - DIY Series - Tabletop Composting
Instructor: Heidi Briguglio from Azure B LLC
• June 13 from 10-12 Kids Plant Walk
Instructor: Holly Poole-Kavana
June 15 from 9-3 Fencing 101
Instructor: Polly Festa

16. • June 17 from 6:30-8:30 PM - DIY Series (Do It Yourself) - Natural Homemade Products for Home and
Body
June 24 9:00 to 11:00 am Cordage Making for Kids
Instructor: Daniel Michaelson
• July 13 Walk in the Park Series- Stargazing
Instructor: Jennifer Marks Borinshansky
Aug. 12 from 9:00am to 12:00 noon Primitive Archery Workshop
Instructor: Daniel Michaelson
• September 14 from 9-12 Walk in the Park Series: Mushrooms and Ecology
Instructor Tovi Lehman
September 16 5:00-7:00 pm Gardening With Dan
Instructor: Daniel Michaelson
• Sept. 21 - Harvest Festival -.
September 30 6:30-9:00pm- DIY Series - Livestock 101
• October 19 from 9-3 Livestock 102
Instructor: Polly Festa
October 20 from 9-12 Folk Traditions in Herbalism
Instructor: Molly Meehan
• October 28 from 6:30-8:30 - DIY Series - The Family Cow
Instructor - Polly Festa
November 9 from 9-12 Raising Goats: Meat, Dairy, and Wool
Instructor: Polly Festa
• November 23 (Time TBD) Solar Power and Your Farm/Homestead
Instructor: (Names) of SolarTech of Southern Maryland
December 14 from 12-4 - Green Crafters Holiday Fair