Jefferson Farms.0rg

Fresh Feast on the Farm - 2013

Ever since 2008, Fresh Feast on the Farm has been one of Jefferson County's summer highlights. Hosted this year by Mildred and Forrest Hammond of Southwood Springs Farm, Fresh Feast will feature an evening of delicious, locally produced foods hosted in a beautiful farm setting. Part of the proceeds from the event will go to support county FFA Alumni programs. For more information, download the brochure for Fresh Feast on the Farm 2013, or reserve online at www.freshfeastonthefarm.com .

Jefferson County Farm Day 2013

Save The Date:  Jefferson County Farm Day 2013 will be on June 15th, from 10 AM to 5 PM. This year's event includes some of Jefferson County's premeire agircultural attractions:

• The Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville
• Dubbl 'R' Farm in Summit Point
• Mt. View Polo outside Charles Town
• O'Sullivan Farm outside Charles Town

This is Jefferson County's 12th annual Farm Day, and one you won't want to miss. A PDF version of the brochure is available for download here.

For more information, contact  Jane Tabb at   304-725-4325 or email  Vinemont(at)frontiernet.net

Two Important Workshops Coming Up

WVU Extension is sponsoring two value-added, food business workshops at the end of this month. These free workshop should be on the must-attend list for any ag producer wanting to do value added production and for anyone wanting the start a food oriented small business.

The meetings will be held May 29th and May 30th at the Jefferson County Public Services building at 1948 Wiltshire Rd in Kearneysville. [ Map ] Meeting notices and agenda links are below:

Food Business Workshop -- May 29th  

Fruit Drying Workshop -- May 30th  

Pre-registration is required for both meetings. Contact Judy Matlick for details  (304-728-7413)

Farmland Protection Unveils Strategic Plan

We received notice today of upcoming public meetings in which the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board will introduce it long term strategic plan. Here is the notice:

You gave us your ideas. Now we’re ready to present our proposed strategic plan for public comment.

The Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board was formed in 2000 to conserve Jefferson County land best suited for farming in accordance with West Virginia State Code.  In the past few months, hundreds of community members have helped to guide our strategic priorities for the next several years.

Three public workshops will be held:  Monday, April 22, at 5:30 PM and at 7:00 PM, and on Tuesday, April 23 at 12:00 PM.   The sessions will be held at the large meeting room in the Jefferson County Public Services Center building at 1948 Wiltshire Road in Kearneysville. 

 For more information, email farmlandprotection(at)jcda.net or call 304-724-1414.

 Thank you!  We appreciate your feedback!

 

Eastern Panhandle Entrepeneurs Look at Farming

Don't miss this chance to check out the business opportunities of agriculture in the Panhandle.

Date:              April 4, 2013

Schedule:            5:30-6:30pm – Networking with refreshments and business displays
                           6:30-8:00pm – Program

Location:      The Inn at Charles Town, Charles Town WV

 

Program:  Farming as a business

 

As we round the corner to our next season and start to consider planting our own home garden or visiting the local farmers markets, join us as we welcome Smith Meadows Farm and Panorama at the Peak to discuss “Farming as a Business”. Jefferson County Development Authority’s Ag Development Officer will be moderating on the evolution of agricultural development and discussing the opportunity for your small business to participate in the Charles Town Farmers Market.

 We invite you to listen to the journey and evolution of Nancy Polo and Forrest Pritchard as they detail how they have adapted and saved their farm. From a crash course in sustainable agriculture in 1996 to a new book release (Gaining Ground), Smith Meadow Farm is truly a local experience.

 Patti Miller with Panorama at the Peak will provide an update on aggregation and distribution issues.

 Visit:

http://www.smithmeadows.com

http://panoramaatthepeak.com/

 

Come learn about the history, evolution, innovation and opportunity in agriculture.

 

Display Tables - $5 to reserve contact Whitney Barrett 304-728-3255

 

Organic Row Crops Meeting Monday

TODAY: Last Chance to Register for Monday's Large-Acreage Diversification Workshop! Klaas and Mary-Howell farm 1300 acres of organic grains in upstate New York.

Walk-ins are welcome, but cannot be guaranteed a locally sourced lunch.

Media will be present at this event; attendees should be aware that they may
appear in event photos or recordings.


Representatives of agricultural lending agencies and resource providers
will be on hand to answer your questions!



Click here or call 410-549-7878!

Only $15 for members of Future
Harvest CASA, Maryland Farm Bureau, or PASA; $25 for others

Wind Erosion and Bacteria

Here is an interesting article just published by USDA-ARS about the transport of different types of bacteria in wind-blown soil. It shows both how pathogenic bacteria can spread, and how some soils can maintain structure and fertility despite being subjected to wind erosion...

Travel Patterns of Wind Blown Bacteria

Super Bowl Ads Redux

We may have liked its potrayal of our profession...BUT: the Dodge-Farmer ad didn't even make the "Top Five Super Bowl Ads" listing on the HULU online TV site.

http://www.hulu.com/adzone/452841

Super Bowl Farmer Ad

For those you who have not already seen it (and from what I hear that is not going to be very many of you!) here is a link to the Dodge - Farmer ad that ran during the Super Bowl yesterday.

 

Take The Farmland Protection Survey

Your Opinion Counts! 

 Help the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Program plan for the future.

 The Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board was formed in 2000 to conserve Jefferson County land best suited for farming in accordance with West Virginia State Code.  We are currently reviewing our progress and charting a path forward.  As part of that process, we are gathering opinions from community members across the county – your ideas will help guide our strategic priorities for the next several years.

Please tell us what you think!

To take the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GWJGZR7

 The survey will be available through February 22, 2013. 

 Thank you!  We appreciate your feedback!

 Elizabeth B. Wheeler

Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board
P.O. Box 731
Charles Town, WV  25414

304-724-1414

farmlandprotection@jcda.net