3rd Annual Community Day at the Farm
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We're looking forward to engaging our Curtis Bay Community at our Black Butterfly Teaching Farm on Saturday, July 20th, from 10am-12pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for a fun and informative day. Enjoy farm tours, produce giveaways, yard games, cooking demonstrations, flower arranging, arts and crafts, and more! It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, learn about sustainable farming, and celebrate the bounty of our community farm. We can't wait to see you there!
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Welcome Our New CIIP Intern
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Meet Ben Andreesen, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University studying Environmental Science and Anthropology. This summer, Ben joins us as a CIIP intern through Johns Hopkins' Center for Social Concern, diving into farm and event operations and more! Outside of work, he enjoys biking, gardening, live music, and climbing the occasional oak tree. Welcome, Ben!
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From the Field: Pest ID & Management Recap
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Workshop attendees gather in our wildflower patch to observe insects, guided by Dr. Maria Cramer, who also brought several preserved and classified specimens for close examination.
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A few weeks ago, local growers joined us for a field day at the Black Butterfly Teaching Farm, focusing on pest identification and management. Dr. Maria Cramer, an expert in entomology farming practices from the University of Maryland, led the session, highlighting key differences between the stubborn critters attendees found in their own fields and outlining effective management strategies.
Participants, guided by Maria, honed their identification skills and observed various patterns of plant damage caused by pests in our fields. The session culminated in the cabbage beds, where they learned practical techniques for pest counting and determining appropriate intervention measures to safeguard their yields. Special thanks to Maria for sharing all her valuable insights on bugs, slugs, and everything in between!
Want to join in on the fun? We've got more hands-on Field Days scheduled! Details and registration info below.
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🛠️ 🧰 Tool Care and Sharpening - July 17th: Join us for a hands-on workshop in collaboration with the Station North Tool Library on tool care and sharpening, held at one of our member farms, The 6th Branch. Participants will learn sharpening techniques, maintenance tips, tool repair, and tool selection to ensure their tools last longer and perform better. Bring your pruners, harvest knives, hoes, or shovels for a sharpening session.
🦠 🪱 Exploring the Soil Food Web - August 14th: Explore the Soil Food Web at The Eric Waller Mount Washington Community Vegetable Garden with Leslie Lewis, Soil Food Web school certified consultant and Farm Alliance of Baltimore board member. This field day combines discussion and hands-on activities focusing on the microbiome of healthy soil and its crucial role in supporting plant and human health. Participants will learn techniques for assessing soil microbiology using microscopes, with opportunities to bring their own soil or compost samples. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into soil health with an expert who blends academic research with practical farming experience.
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- The 6th Branch is hiring a Food Access Organizer
The 6th Branch is seeking one or two motivated individual(s) to support the rollout of a new pilot program. The work will include overseeing all outreach to raise awareness of the SHARE program and recruit orders as well as performing the logistical and operational tasks of coordinating these orders, collecting payment, and staffing the monthly pickup days. Apply by July 20th. Priority will be given to local applicants. Details here.
- Strength to Love II is hiring a Farm Manager
Duties include crop planning, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, composting, hoop house maintenance and upkeep, pest management, ordering supplies, and supervision of paid and volunteer workers. The position is full time, details here.
- Volunteer at Strength to Love II - July 27th
9am-12pm, 1855 Kavanaugh Street sign up here.
- Join T6B for a kids workshop on Making Insect Repellent - July 27th
Led by Jennifer West of Plant Mama Alchemy, you'll learn how to create your own natural insect repellents using safe and effective ingredients. 12pm-2pm, 1309 Homewood Ave. Register here
- FAB Member Markets & Farm Stands
Want to support local farms and enjoy the freshest products? Check out our member market flyer to find a market near you!
- Hillen Homestead Fall Flower Subscription
Sign up now for beautiful fall bouquets
- Maryland Producer Cold Storage Grant
MARBIDCO's Maryland Producers Cold Storage Grant Program provides matching grants up to $2,000 for farmers and watermen wishing to purchase cold storage equipment to continue or expand operations. Apply by August 30, 2024. Application and information here.
- Project FEED (Fresh Eats in Every District) Grant
Supports urban gardening to boost food security and local food production. This pilot program offers up to $12,000 to qualified non-profits in four districts to start or expand community gardening. Grantees will also participate in educational workshops. Apply by July 22, 2024. Application and guidelines here.
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Left, Farmer Myeasha shares about the Black Butterfly Teaching Farm. Right, FAB staff and volunteers plant sweet potatoes which will be harvested in October.
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Despite the recent heatwave, our team has continued their amazing work at the Black Butterfly Teaching Farm! We’ve been busy harvesting record yields of zucchini, summer squash, beets, carrots and cabbage for the Maryland Food Bank.
Recently, we hosted wonderful a tour with the Neighborhood Design Center for the 4th International Placemaking Week, we shared our design plans for the farm and our mission to train the next generation of urban farmers through our Black Butterfly program.
We also celebrated the completion of our summer planting by putting in ten beds of sweet potatoes (including four different varieties!) and succession plantings of summer squash, cucumber, and flowers to ensure a continued harvest throughout the season. This week, we will keep it cool by harvesting more squash and okra and pruning our leafy tomato plants.
Thank you to our wonderful crew members - the farm would not be thriving the way it is without you all!
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Support and represent urban agriculture with limited edition Farm Alliance apparel and goods.
Just in: your new favorite tote bag! Designed by our talented farm friend, SJ Brekosky, this large tote bag is perfect for, filling with fresh veggies from the 32nd Street Waverly Farmers Market, packing for a weekend getaway or carrying your everyday essentials.
Our heavy duty tote bags are 100% cotton with wide woven handles and a gusseted bottom. Made in the USA and printed by Black Collar Printing.
Check out our online store now and grab yours while supplies last!
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Your support helps us cultivate powerful communities and build a more resilient Baltimore.
With 48 members strong and growing, we are strengthening Baltimore's network of urban growers. Thank you for your generosity!
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