Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Customer Testimonials


It's great when someone says nice things about you. It always is. Here's what some of our customers have said about us.

"The season was a total success for us......excellent quality, quantity and variety. The weekly trips to the farm are also a bonus.............it's a little oasis. The CSA has definitely broadened our vegetable experience and helped make us healthier consumers. Thank you!"

"We treasure our participation in an endeavor so obviously a labor of love: love of the earth and for all her people. We speak to friends of Red Wiggler as our farm (easily said by those who don't sweat or freeze in the fields!) because we feel such a part of the enterprise. We don't see ourselves as customers exchanging cash for product. We don't care if we are receiving maximum value in the trade of money for produce. Much of the value comes from supporting good people doing good work. Well, that, and also opening up a jar of our Wiggler Red Sauce or Salsa on a winter night and tasting the warmth of the summer past and the promise of the summer to come."

"I look forward to coming to Red Wiggler every week! I love to pick the fresh flowers and herbs--it is such a quiet and beautiful farm. Having the variety of produce in the shares has caused me to grow in how I cook and the menus that I plan. We eat much less processed and "fast food" because I plan our meals around the food in our shares, and we don't need that type of food anymore. We also eat more "lower on the food-chain foods" because veggies and fruits are such a large part of the meals. I think it is important for my children to be connected to how their food is grown, and I think it is important for them to learn how important it is to care for the earth. We discuss how organic methods are good for the earth, the animals and insects and of course our bodies. I also like the opportunity to participate in providing meaningful work for developmentally disabled adults and share that message with my kids, as well. I hope that as my children get older, they will want to volunteer and share in this important work. This is the first year I participated in the extended share and I am very glad that I did. My family is sad that we won't have the fresh "farm-food" for the next few months!"

"Participating in the Red Wiggler CSA has reinforced for me the conviction that agriculture can be a viable part of our local economy, even in a growing and highly developed area like Montgomery County; has reassured me that there are many people in the area who care about agriculture and healthy food; has encouraged me to cook and eat seasonally, and seek out new ways to prepare the produce we receive; and has led me to look into movements related to the CSA movement such as Slow Food and local economies."

Wow! Thanks!
-red wiggler
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Red Wiggler CSA shares open to the public!

Merry Greetings to All,

We're excited to post that roughly 30 shares in our 2009 CSA season are open to the public!

We've had a return rate close to 75% from our 2008 customers and thus have about 30 shares to open to the general public for the 2009 season. This year in hopes of fairness, we are holding a lottery the week of January 19th with all submitted applications and $50 checks. If you are interested please read our CSA page and then follow this link to download the 2009 Registration form.

Please read the entire document. We hope to hear from you!

-Red Wiggler
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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Winter Arrives at Red Wiggler

Our 26 week regular and extended CSA harvest season is now over and we are beginning to reflect on our 2008 growing season. Some of the growers will be on the farm in December as we glean the remaining turnips and collards for Manna Food Center. Volunteers are already lined up to make those deliverys. We are greatful for a healthy and abundant 2008 growing season! Thanks to all of you who have supported us this year and we hope that we will see you in 2009!
Cheers- Woody Woodroof, Director
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Last of the Last--Extended Week #5

Dang, it's freezing out here today! My fingers have been numb pretty much all day long. I really appreciate that this is the last harvest of the year. I hope you do too, or maybe a little sad to see the veggies go away, but excited about the possibilities of a new 2009 season.

Here's what we've rounded up this week:

Garlic-take it away!
Turnips
Carrots
Radishes
Kale/Collards/Chard
Bagged greens of some sort
dill

Thanks for all your support!
Last of the Last--Extended Week #5SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Extended Season Harvest #4


Hello!

We had the day off yesterday to observe Veteran's Day, so all the harvesting was done this morning making your veggies extra fresh this afternoon.
It's hard to imagine that we've got just one more week left of extended season! At times, it's gone by so fast and yet, I'm truly ready for a good bout of time off.

Harvest:
Braising Mix
Arugula
Hakurei Turnips (white ones)
Scarlet &/or Purple Top Turnips
Radishes
Kale or Collards
The last of the PEPPERS
Hot Peppers
Baby Head Lettuce or Kohlrabi
Winter Squash or a Baby Bear Pie Pumpkin
Garlic--3 heads!!

-adrienne
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Extended Harvest #3 2008

Wow, what excitement last night. I hope you all got a chance to vote yesterday. I hope that our new Farmer-in-Chief sets the tone for some exciting trends for agriculture in America. But, this farmer brings you the harvest today, which includes the following:

Arugula
Braising Mix
Kale/Collards/Chard
Turnips
Radishes
Peppers
Eggplants
Hot Peppers
Kohlrabi &/or bok choy
Winter squash or pie pumkin

-adrienne
Extended Harvest #3 2008SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Extended Week #2

Folks,

It's been an extremely cold last couple of days for us here at the farm. So bear with us as most of the vegetables have NOT been washed, because it seems cruel to ask people to get their hands wet using cold water on a very cold, windy day.

Nonetheless, we have vegetables for you, and they include:

Lettuce Mix
Braising Mix
Kale
Swiss Chard or Collards
Bok Choy
Turnips
Radishes
Peppers
Hot Peppers
Eggplant
Garlic
Optional/Bonus: Tomaotes, Tomatillos, and Apples
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Extended Season 2008 Begins!

Hi Folks,

Well, the predicted frost finally came Monday morning and destroyed the basil--summer is officially officially over. However, we've got a great selection of parsley, dill and cilantro. Some of the flowers have held up too, but not all.

For veggies we have:

Lettuce Mix
Bok Choy
Swiss Chard
Kale
Turnips
Radishes
Beet Greens with Baby beets
Peppers
Eggplants
Hot Peppers
Pumpkins
Winter Squash
Green Tomatoes
**and perhaps, a few last minute add ons

Enjoy!
-adrienne
Extended Season 2008 Begins!SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Monday, October 06, 2008

Harvest #18--The last one

As always, we want to say THANK YOU!! for your support and patronage this 2008 CSA season.

Please fill up on herbs for the winter. Dry them out and store them in glass jars for later use. The dill and cilantro are back and one should definitely enjoy them. I make a mean cilantro pesto with mine.

This week is a whole heck of a lot of vegetables coming your way. So please come and get 'em.

We hope to see many of you back for next year, so don't forget to recommit!

Here's what we've got:

Pumpkins-oh yes!
Gourds-Non edible
Winter Squash
Garlic
Eggplants
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Radishes
Turnips (& Turnip Greens)
Pac Choi
Baby Collards/Kale/Chard
Lettuce Mix
Arugula
Baby Beets and Beet Greens
Green Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
** Some apples from a neighbor's yard, they'd be great for baking

Bonus: Okra or Tomatillos

*Cherry Tomatoes as a PYO item, the rows just above the flowers
Harvest #18--The last oneSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A (September) day in the life of a volunteer….

It was one of those “Wish I could bottle this moment” times yesterday….bouncing around in the wagon with the growers, behind Adrienne driving the tractor, on our way up to the pumpkin and squash patch.
The air was fresher and cleaner, following the rains of the weekend, and it was thankfully cooler for this UK native to be working in the fields.
I never cease to be moved and thrilled by the happy and expectant atmosphere that I have come to know since working as a volunteer with the staff and growing team at Red Wiggler. Yesterday was no exception.
Perhaps it was because of the glorious colors of the produce we were about to pile in the wagon; yellow, gold, orange, green. Perhaps it was the energy that comes from being outside, communing with nature, and being amongst friends or maybe just the heralding of Fall and the knowledge that a busy summer growing season was finally coming to an end……whatever it was, it was an immensely satisfying and happy day for us all!!
Sue Skeith September 29th 2008
(see photo in previous posting)
A (September) day in the life of a volunteer….SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Monday, September 29, 2008

Harvest #17-A

We've got just two weeks left of the regular season. For those of you deeply concerned about signing up for the 2009 season, current members have the right of first refusal and $50 will hold your spot. The fine details about the 2009 season have not been ironed out yet, but will be shortly.

ALSO, sooner than you know it, a frost will come and destroy all the basil, NOW is the time to get your basil and make that last batch of pesto. It stores great in the freezer or in an ice cube tray for later use.

**Cilantro and Dill are back!!

Here's what we have this week:

Radishes
Turnips
Baby Collards or Baby Kale
Pac Choi
Arugula
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Garlic
Eggplant
Winter Squash
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
** and perhaps as bonus: okra, tomatillos, cherry tomatoes, beets

Part of our winter squash harvest
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Monday, September 22, 2008

Harvest #16-B and notes

We spent Monday spreading compost and manure to prep our beds for next year's garlic planting that will happen in a month's time.

We have 3 more weeks of the CSA season. This week we have a great abundance, which includes:

Beets
Radishes
Baby Collards
Pac Choi
Arugula
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Eggplant
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
Garlic

*** Maybes: Beans, okra, carrots or Turnips***

-adrienne
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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Annual Harvest Supper was a success


Tropical Storm Hannah arrived the morning of Red Wiggler's long-planned annual fund-raising event. Possible disaster was averted with a one-day postponement that allowed us to have a beautiful and successful event. Sept. 7 brought mild weather and a sunny day for the supper under the big tent and a busy auction scene in the barn. Thanks to the resilience of our many friends, donors and sponsors, we raised close to $25,000 to support our programs for people with developmental disabilities, youth, the environment and all our community building activities.

This year's auction featured several firsts: a record of over 150 donations of artwork, crafts, merchandise, personal services and unique experiences; as well as an online "silent" auction process that generated enthusiastic bidding until we went "live" in the barn. We look forward to future years using the online auction to reach out into the community. If you are interested in seeing what items "went for" follow this link to the auction web site

Special thanks to Board member Nancy Everett and Debra Graugnard for their skilled coordination of every aspect of the harvest supper and auction. We gratefully acknowledge Whole Foods Kentlands, which prepared our vegetarian supper with produce from Red Wiggler and skillfully handled the one-day delay. Our thanks to the Engle-Pratt Family Band who regaled us with musical entertainment throughout the evening. There were over 25 volunteers who assisted with various aspects of the event- a hearty thanks to all who gave time to make the event a real success.

Finally- we have just launched our new and improved web site! please have a look- www.redwiggler.org

-Woody

Annual Harvest Supper was a successSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Week 15-A Harvest

Our pollination for your crops provided by Naked Bee - We have also been selling honey extracted from the hives here at Red Wiggler - They even made up a special Red Wiggler Reserve label- We are selling them directly to CSA members during regular pick ups while supplies last-

This week is an "A" week, and we're starting to return to our greens and root vegetables. This week your pick up will include the following:

Braising Mix
Swiss Chard
Hakurei Turnips
Beets
Carrots
Sweet and Hot Peppers
Garlic
Red, Heirloom, and Cherry Tomatoes
Beans for Wednesday shareholders
Eggplant for Saturday shareholders

Enjoy!

Michelle
Week 15-A HarvestSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Week 14-B Harvest

The Red Wiggler Team earned more than a dozen awards last week at the
Damascus Community Fair!

This week we're back at it and will be for another 4 more weeks. This is a B week for all you alternate shares. Here's a glimpse of what we got going:

Summer Squash and/or Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
Beets
Chard or Arugula--yep, it's back!!

-adrienne
Week 14-B HarvestSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Sunday, September 07, 2008

In the event you can't make it today-

Red Wiggler 2008 Annual Harvest Supper and Silent Auction
is re-scheduled for today, Sunday September 7th 4pm - 8pm due to Tropical Storm Hannah.

We understand that the change of date means that not everyone can attend. Please let us know if you will not be able to make it on Sunday so we can have an estimate of the number of people who will attend. For those not able to attend on Sunday, refunds are available. Alternatively, if you would like to have the cost of your dinner ticket become a donation for this important fundraising event, we are happy to follow up with a letter thanking you for your tax-deductible contribution to Red Wiggler. The proceeds from this year's dinner will support our programs for people with developmental disabilities, youth and the environment.

We hope that our guests will understand our decision to reschedule and bear with us as we hustle to make Sunday an exceptional day!
- Woody Woodroof, Director
In the event you can't make it today-SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Event Postponed and Rescheduled for Sunday September 7th, 4-8pm

Red Wiggler 2008 Annual Harvest Supper and Silent Auction
Due to poor and potentially dangerous conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Hannah
our event is postponed and rescheduled for Tomorrow, Sunday September 7th 4pm - 8pm.

This decision will ensure the safety of our supporters by keeping people off the roads during dangerous driving conditions and reduce the environmental impact of the event (gravel road run off, grassy parking etc.) given our proximity to the wetlands.

We hope that our guests will understand our decision and bear with us as we hustle to make the necessary changes.
- Woody Woodroof, Director This update was posted Saturday September 6th at 9:45am
Event Postponed and Rescheduled for Sunday September 7th, 4-8pmSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Friday, September 05, 2008

Harvest Supper Update


Red Wiggler 2008 Annual
Harvest Supper
and Silent Auction
September 6th 2008 4pm - 8:00pm

At this time the event is proceeding "rain or shine" as scheduled.

However,
If excessive wind, flooding and power outages occur
we will move the event to Sunday September 7th 4pm - 8pm

This decision will be made by 10:00 am Saturday Sept. 6 We will post here as well as create a phone message on the farm phone- 301-916-2216.
We recognize that this may not be ideal and we ask for your patience as we navigate Tropical Storm Hannah.

If you are a guest- please dress for an event held in a barn and under a tent. Dress is casual. When arriving you can drop passengers at the barn and then park. An umbrella will be very helpful. We are also encouraging guests to car pool if that is at all feasible. Also- please not that we can not process credit cards and ask that you bring a checkbook or cash. Thanks.

Woody Woodroof, Director

Harvest Supper UpdateSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

NO CSA this week--Annual Supper and Silent Auction

Folks,

There is NO CSA pick up this week! Please DO NOT come to the farm expecting vegetables at your regular time. We are taking the week to celebrate the year and FUN(d)raise.

See you next week. FYI, it's a B-week next week.

Ciao,
adrienne
NO CSA this week--Annual Supper and Silent AuctionSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Harvest 13-A

Sorry to the avid blog watchers and menu planners, the week has gotten away from me and here it is 2 o'clock Wednesday and not yet a blog posting in sight. Very Sorry.

Here's what we've got this week:

Summer Squash
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Garlic
Beans
Carrots
Pears--from a neighbor's yard
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes

It is again imperative that everyone knows that there is NO CSA PICK UP NEXT WEEK. Next week is the Annual Supper and Silent Auction. Hope you can attend.
Harvest 13-ASocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Harvest 12-B

Hello Red Wiggler Fans,

Coming to you this week from the fields are a few more delicious veggies for you to make incredible "local" meals from.

Garlic-2 bulbs
Red Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
Green Beans--Sorry, only a 1/2# each
Eggplant
Hot Peppers
Sweet Peppers
Summer Squash
**There's a lull between cucumber plantings, so none this week or next, but perhaps the following week.

As our grower Nuno says, "Enjoy your food"!
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Friday, August 15, 2008

Ovid Hazen Wells Park Origins


They had no children, and this fact led, in 1956, to Ovid Hazen Wells and Hallie Ausmus Wells making a momentous decision which affects us all today.

They clearly loved the State of Maryland, the open landscapes of Montgomery County and the charm of farming life. They both seemed to be visionaries of their time desiring to protect the land that they valued so dearly. In 1956 they made their decision to deed the 290 acres of farmland which they owned to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission so that it might remain as open space and be used for recreation. In l981, when Hallie officially made the donation, their vision had become reality.

Ovid Hazen Wells was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee in 1894, as was Hallie, in1893. They moved to the District of Columbia in 1918 when they were in their twenties. Ovid worked on the White House Police Force (now known as the Secret Service) and Hallie worked first for War Risk Insurance (a Federal department for WW1 veterans) and later for the IRS.

In 1940, Ovid retired and the Wellses bought 94 acres on Skylark Road in Clarksburg and later they acquired more adjoining land, including a dairy farm, bringing their total acreage to 290. They continued to live in DC but Ovid worked on the farm with the help of farmhands. Hallie described her husband as a ‘handshaker’, one who was prone to bringing people over on Saturdays and Sundays to show off his farm. She once told the Gazette in a l989 interview that “my husband informed me, one day back in 1952, that he planned to move to Cedar Grove and if I didn’t want to come, he would leave me a bed!” She promptly retired and they moved to the farm permanently.

It was on a Spring morning, four years later, when they had their discussion about who should benefit from their good fortune when they were gone. Between them they had more than 20 brothers and sisters and, as Hallie so eloquently put it, “bequeathing it to all those heirs would have meant a nickel piece of it each time lawyers and everybody got their part”. Besides, the Wellses were more than a little concerned that development was intruding ever closer and they wanted to make sure that their piece of open space was left for the community to learn about their agricultural heritage and to have a recreational park for generations to come; not merely development into houses on one-acre lots.

They also wanted it to benefit children.

Later that same year, Ovid sadly died at the age of 62, having been denied his senior years working the land as he had hoped. One wonders if he knew his life was coming to an end and he needed to have a plan for Hallie.

Hallie made the donation of their farm in 1981, despite the fact that the land had appreciated in value to over 1 million dollars. She continued to live there until her death, at the ripe-old age of 98 and she is buried with her husband in the Salem United Methodist Cemetery on Ridge Road.
Because of the generosity and astounding vision that this couple exuded we are still able to work the farm, as Red Wiggler; providing job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities; growing and selling high quality produce and continuing to expand the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program which, by its nature, creates and nurtures a healthy and inclusive community.

What a superb legacy Ovid and Hallie have left for this community and, like them, we must continue to protect and preserve the land around us as our responsibility for this generation and generations to come.


by Susan Skeith, Red Wiggler Volunteer 2008
Ovid Hazen Wells Park OriginsSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Harvest 11-A

This is what we have for this week:

Eggplant
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Summer Squash
Cucumbers
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Garlic

** For those who are interested in MORE tomatoes, we have "seconds" for sale.
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Harvest 10-B

It's a "B" week for all you confused Alternate CSA-ers.

Here's a what we have for you this week:

Hot Peppers--Stuff those Hungarian Hot Waxes!
Sweet Peppers
Garlic
Summer Squash
Cucumbers
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes
Beans
* and perhaps a few surprises too!

Enjoy!
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Harvest 9-A

Well, we are back with a vengeance, bringing you the start of the tomato gluttony. Enjoy them!! Yeah!

Summer Squash
Cucumbers
Hot Peppers
Sweet Peppers
Garlic
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
Beans
Eggplant
Melons
Harvest 9-ASocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Monday, July 21, 2008

Farm Tour this week!

There is no CSA pick up this week. We'll be open Saturday from 10-3 for the Annual Montgomery County Farm Tour. We're open to the public!

See you then.
Farm Tour this week!SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Harvest 8-B

We're continuing to transition to summer, warm weather crops. Here's what we got for you this week:

Beets
Summer Squash (this includes zucchinis)
Cucumbers
Sweet Peppers
Hot Peppers
Beans--they're purple this week
Garlic

**Don't forget to join Liz for scarecrow making party!
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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Harvest 7-A

Hope your 4th of July holiday was blissful and y'all enjoyed yourselves. This week is a transition week for us in the harvest realm. No more cut greens until the fall. PYO is gorgeous, take advantage.

Beets
Kale or Chard or Collards
Turnips
Spring Onions
Summer Squash
Cucumbers
Potatoes
Butler's Blueberries
Hot Peppers--Hungarian Hot Wax
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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Harvest #6-B

Exciting developments in the PYO this week. . . the flowers look gorgeous!!!! Argostemma (aka Corn Cockle), snapdragons, clarkia, calendula, sweet peas, zinnias, statice, salvia, strawflowers, bee balm, gaillardia, and Gladiolus (only one stem please), all are in bloom and are very, very lovely. Plus, the basil is ready for picking. Liz, Michelle, or myself will help show you how to pick it so that we pick it in a way that is healthy and will create more basil for months to come.

Otherwise:

Beets
Salad Mix or Braising Mix
Spring Onions
Garlic Scapes
Turnips--love 'em up now because you won't be getting anymore for the next 2 months
Kale
Summer Squash
Butler's Blueberries
Kohlrabi

-adrienne
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Monday, June 23, 2008

Harvest #5 -A

Coming to you in this week's harvest:

Kale &/or Chard
Turnips
Radishes
Spring Onions
Garlic Scapes
Salad Mix or Lettuce
Summer Squash-it's starts out slow, but will have plenty for you soon!
Butler's Blueberries


-adrienne
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Harvest #4-B

Hello Folks,


This is an important note, regarding the down county water main break---We have not, NOT, washed or cleaned any of the vegetables for Wednesday's pick up, because of the possible water contamination issue. Thus, you will be advised to wash them properly at your own homes. The washing/un-washing of vegetables for Saturday's pick up depends largely if the water main is fixed, but please be advised of the possibility of receiving unwashed, i.e., veggies with dirt still on them.

Accordingly, we have harvested more roots this week than normal, because they hold up better being unwashed.

Hakurei Turnips
Purple Top Turnips
Spring Onions
Garlic Scapes
Radishes
Baby Beets
Bunched Kale
Green Garlic
* Possibility of a cut greens, either salad or arugula
* Also please note, above the Adirondack chairs on the way to the PYO is a Mulberry tree with very ripe fruit. PLEASE, PLEASE help yourself.

-adrienne
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Harvest #3-A

Turnips
Radishes
More Garlic Scapes!!
Spring Onions
Baby Collards or Chard
Spinach
Braising Mix or Arugula
Peas
Butler's Strawberries

Just a reminder that you should enjoy some Cilantro, Dill, Oregano and Thyme from the PYO. I made some amazing cilantro pesto last weekend. Yum! The more you pick you now, the more there will be for later. So enjoy it now!

-adrienne
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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Harvest #2

Butler's Strawberries
Garlic Scapes
Spring Onions
Radishes
Baby Kale Bunches
Greens-of some sort

New to the PYO this week: Cilantro, Dill, Yarrow flowers and Gaillardia flowers. Be prepared to grab some Lovage, as I've added a few recipes to the Newsletter.
Harvest #2SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Harvest #1 2008!!!

Hello all,

Here's the first harvest of the 2008 season. Remember we start slow (small) and work up to an overflowing bounty.

Spring Onions
Baby Turnips or Radishes
Turnip Greens
Butler's Strawberries
Braising Mix or Salad Mix

*Remember options aren't set in stone and are subject to change.

Enjoy!
-adrienne

p.s. IN THE PYO: Oregano,Chives, Thyme, Lovage, Sage, Marjoram, Mint, Irises, Lemon Balm, Bachelor’s Buttons, Catnip
Harvest #1 2008!!!SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Friday, May 16, 2008

Muddy Pepper Planting


We planted peppers today and we were a muddy, muddy mess when we finished, but we finished just in time for lunch.
Muddy Pepper PlantingSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Monday, May 12, 2008

CSA Orientation Muffin Luck: May 17th 10am

Red Wiggler Community Farm CSA

Welcome the Season!

Join us

Saturday, May 17, 2008

10 am12 noon

Find out what’s happening at Red Wiggler this summer season!

Learn about…

v Composting - at home and for Red Wiggler

v PYO – Pick Yur Own garden

v Volunteering at the Red Wiggler Community Farm

v Red Wiggler Farm Tour 2008

Meet and Greet the Red Wiggler staff and growers and get to know

your fellow CSA members – we’re an interesting group!

Coffee will be served, and you are invited to bring a dozen of your favorite muffins to share

For more information, contact Adrienne, adrienne@redwiggler.org

or 301-916-2216

CSA Orientation Muffin Luck: May 17th 10amSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Spring Planting

Here Adrienne and Craig are planting vegetable seeds in flats which are grown under lights till they get "moved on" to our gardens after the last frost- our last average frost date is generally considered to be about the time of Mothers Day in May. Earlier this week the growers and staff planted 4 Paw Paw trees. Paw Paws are the host plant for the Zebra Striped Swallowtail butterfly. Without the Paw Paw tree the Zebra Swallowtail would not exist.We will be planting more fruit trees throughout the spring- apple, pear and possibly thornless blackberrys!- Woody
Spring PlantingSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Some work around the farm

We moved some trees around the other day that had been donated to us last fall. We're going to plant them to help create a windbreak/hedgerow. Most of the cooler weather at the farm comes off the hill to the northwest.
Next on our list is to put up the new section of our deer fence to keep the deer out of our fields. And then we can go ahead and plant our first peas and onions.
Some work around the farmSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Johnny's Selected Seeds delivers again!

THANKS JOHNNY'S!

Johnny's Selected Seeds has AGAIN donated a healthy dose of seeds to Red Wiggler this year. We deeply and truly appreciate the donation from Johnny's, a small employee owned seed company based in Maine. Johnny's has very high quality seeds, tools and merchandise for both the bigger commercial growers and also for the smaller home gardeners. We continue to enjoy doing business with them and hope you do too!
Johnny's Selected Seeds delivers again!SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

A freshly turned compost pile

Woody turned the compost this morning. You can even see the heat rising from the pile. Mmm, goodness.
A freshly turned compost pileSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Thursday, January 31, 2008

A composting we will go. . .



Many ask what we do during the winter, and yes, we slow down a bit but we stay busy. One of our big tasks this winter is collecting food waste from our local Whole Foods Market to take back to the farm and add to our growing compost pile. By growing our compost pile, we in turn grow our access to natural fertility. When the pile breaks down and is ready for application we will apply it to our fields, and thus add N-P-K and organic material to our soil. In the end, it should help make even more beautiful vegetables!

Here's us with a big load of food waste headed to load up the truck.
A composting we will go. . .SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Solar House Photos

Photo of UMD solar house donated to Red Wiggler after the 2005 Solar Decathlon. Yesterday (01/23/08) The 51 panel array was hooked up for the first time since October 2005. We are using the original Outback inverter with a gel battery back of 4 for now. We hope to be "grid tied" by Easter pending final approvals and construction time. We are grateful to the University of Maryland Solar Team/s for there assistance in reestablishing this home here at Ovid Hazen Wells Park.

The porch light is ON !!!

Thanks to Master Electrician John Cartagirone for bringing the solar array on line! Shown here with the original inverter located in the small basement.

12/20/07 day after "house moving day"

The house sliding onto the foundation.
The steel beams are "greased" with conventional bar soap that Mr. Matiko (Expert House) buys on sale at the Dollar Store. The process was a pure lesson in practical physics.
Mr. Matiko - House Mover
We are especially grateful to Expert House Movers for a dramatically reduced "house move" rate. Thanks to the Matiko family and their workers.

Jay from Parks Development, Rob Murray and Dick Magnani Engineers ensuring a house perfect landing. Thanks to all three of you for your attention to details!

Andrews and Sons Excavators put the road up to the solar house in and built the foundation. They will also be installing the septic systems in January and February. They were on hand for the "house move" to do whatever needed doing. Honestly the entire work day sun up to beyond sundown there was a whole lot of that "hury up and wait" thing that happens when everything needs to be just right. Thanks to these guys for their work.

Hannah Robinson, Rob Murray and Dick Magnani - 05 UMD Solar Team members

Kaye Brubaker (center) from the UMD engineering department and 2005 Solar Team faculty advisory was on hand to watch the house move.


Red Wiggler Project Manager Dave Furman - basement man! 10/07

The house was moved onto the permanent foundation on 12/19/07. Thanks to the Park Inspector (Jay) for invaluable assistance. Thanks again and again to UMD Solar House team members for their continued commitment to the 2005 Solar Decathlon house.


Debra and Woody and the Red Wiggler Community Farm 12/19/07
Thanks to all who have helped bring the 2005 UMD Solar House
to Ovid Hazen Wells Park. posted 01/24/08







Solar House PhotosSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

2008 CSA Sold Out


There were 10 cars lined up in from of the driveway when we arrived at 9am on opening day for new CSA customers- and we were sold out by noon. We are examining how we can thoughtfully grow to meet this demand in a scale that is appropriate to our mission activities. We will keep you informed by updating our CSA web page this coming fall.

Thanks to our 2008 CSA members and thanks to all who were unable to secure a "share" with Red Wiggler for the upcoming growing season. For info on other CSA's in our area we suggest www.localharvest.org

2008 CSA Sold OutSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Eagle Sighting !

We saw a Bald Eagle today! It was hanging out near our wetlands behind the office. We went to investigate the spot and found a deer carcass. This picture is us standing out in the wetlands.
Eagle Sighting !SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Monday, January 14, 2008

2008 CSA options

Next Tuesday (the day after MLK day) we will open up our 2008 CSA to the general public. As of now, we only have 4 spots of Regular Wednesday CSA and 17 spots (9 B-weeks; 8 A-weeks) of Alternate Week Wednesday CSA shares available. There are NO Saturday shares available. The spots are filled first come, first serve with the receipt of the $50 membership and commitment form in our hand. Please visit our website, www.redwiggler.org for more information about us and follow the CSA tab at the top for more information about the CSA. The CSA page of our website is where you will find the commitment form on Tuesday. Please print it out and deliver it to us with the $50 membership fee.

-adrienne
2008 CSA optionsSocialTwist Tell-a-Friend