Notes from Arcadia Farm: Welcome Spring!

Preparing the soil at Arcadia Farm.

My winter is always spent with a great deal of time in front of the computer.  Every square inch of the farm is mapped out and scheduled for planting, cultivating, and harvesting.  And then, as I like to say, the season happens.  Fields don't dry out like I'd like, the weather stays cold later than I'd like, and seedlings aren't growing according to schedule.  These are the nuances that make me view farming as much an art as a science.  On a new piece of land, you have to be flexible; you have to observe and learn not force too hard, as tempting as it may be to try to meet that schedule.  

All of the planning and prep work and patience pays off when that first seed hits the soil in the spring.  There's something meditative about the process; the cool soil on my hand, tools gliding through the dirt, and the faith in this most basic of human acts.  At the end of the day, we have to put our faith in seeds and in nature, and trust that all of the hard work will pay off and that we'll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.

Spring has arrived at the Arcadia Farm, and our interns and volunteers have indeed been busy working our fields from sun up to sun down, prepping land and planting seeds.  We have ambitious plans as we embark on this new season to bring new land into production, expand the scope of our growing, thoroughly educate everyone who spends time with us, and, most importantly, grow delicious food to share with those around us.

Cheers to the new season!

Stephen Corrigan, Farm Director

Welcome to our new crop of Farm Education Interns!

We're welcoming a new crop of spring Farm Education Interns to the farm. They’re quite a talented and enthusiastic group!

Over the next few months, Erin, Anne, Cary, Jenny, Aisha and Gretchen will spend two days per week on the farm working with a team of Farm Educators to conduct our Field Trip Program. They’ll also be working on outside projects that will help Arcadia’s Farm Education Programs grow. 

Read on to virtually meet each of them and check out their bios. If our interns were vegetables, we'd have a full meal, including an eclectic mixed greens salad and a side of eggplant and mushrooms!

Erin Bischoff

What experiences have prepared you for this position?

For a few summers I was involved with a nonprofit that does community development work with local youth in Latin America.  Some of the projects I've worked on have ranged from community vegetable gardens and nutrition workshops to building latrines and renovating schools.  This exposed me to the potential that young people have when working towards a common goal and the experience of organizing volunteers allowed me to grow as a leader.  

What are you hoping to learn as a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia?

My exposure to agriculture is mostly limited to experiences that took place in tropical climates, so I'm very excited to learn about agricultural practices and produce that can be found in this region.  I'm also looking forward to learning about which fruits and vegetables are most abundant and available seasonally so that I can use them more appropriately at home.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

Even though it is technically a fungus, I think if I were a vegetable, I would be a mushroom. They're earthy and bold in flavor, but they also have a very delicate side to them.

Anne Criag

What experiences have prepared you for this position?

I love being in gardens and I enjoy sharing that enthusiasm with other people, especially children. Being a classroom teacher for over 10 years, teaching many grade levels, I know the most successful and enjoyable lessons involved the students moving around and having materials they could touch and manipulate. Sharing time with my own children often involves discovering wonderful things in nature. I am a gardener that believes there is no meal as delicious as the one you started with a seed months before.

What are you hoping to learn as a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia?

As a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia I am hoping to learn more about sustainable farming and new ways to share the importance of it with children. Working at a non-profit organization will be a new experience for me.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

If I were a vegetable I would be lettuce. Lettuce is pretty easy to grow and I am pretty easy to get along with. I am happy being by myself but I also enjoy being with others too. My son says I should be lettuce because I am always saying, “Lettuce do this together. Lettuce get started.”

Cary Euwer

What experiences have prepared you for this position?

I co-taught an environmental science course for 4th graders in college, and that was the first experience that really got me thinking about the optimal way to learn while considering what knowledge is absolutely essential. Unsurprisingly, our best lessons revolved around hands-on projects and food. Inspired by the empowering potential of growing one’s own food, I went on to work as the coordinator for a community vegetable garden in a food desert in north Saint Louis, where I was responsible for both the garden and the large volunteer events needed to put non-profit Grace Hill’s vision into effect.

This previous work culminated in probably my most enjoyable experience: teaching environmental science lessons, particularly on the carbon cycle, to 5-7 year olds for Living Classrooms in the summer of 2012. The cornerstone of our lessons centered on a small vegetable garden.

What are you hoping to learn as a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia?

I’d like to learn more about the possibilities of environmental education, and what crazy ideas people with a passion for it can come up with.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

If I were a vegetable: I’d be Okra.

Jenny Roe

What experiences have prepared you for this position?

While working towards my MS, I volunteered on Gorgie City Farm where I served as an Education Volunteer. I led weekly hands-on workshops with elementary school children, teaching them about food production and farming. This experience has provided me with the basic skills necessary to teach children in an outdoor setting about our food system and the important impact it has on the environment and our health. In addition, I spent time working  in a garden where I was able to experiment growing my own organic vegetables for the first  time and acquired basic gardening skills. I also grew to truly appreciate growing your own vegetables as it is a difficult task however extremely rewarding.

What are you hoping to learn as a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia?

I hope to be inspired by the children and other visitors who come to Arcadia each day as well as the other interns and staff members. Children always ask the most difficult questions that you would never think of, this always pushes me to think outside of the box and gives me a new perspective on things. Working with such a motivated, passionate group of people will push me to continue working towards my goals of making the world a healthier, happier place.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

Spinach! I put spinach in everything, it is so versatile which I can identify with. When gardening in Scotland, my spinach plants grew the fastest so I was always taking home fresh, organic spinach for all of my meals! It also helps make you strong, as I work to become stronger each day.

Aisha Salazar

What experiences have prepared you for this position?

I have worked with children as a tutor, camp counselor/director, and currently as a science educator. I interned as a food and wine reporter for Northern Virginia magazine, where I learned about sustainable agriculture by touring farms and talking with local chefs and farmers. I spent an intensive week in Toulouse, France where I visited several organic and biodynamic farms and learned about issues affecting Europe during a class on sustainable agriculture. Through my academic research I have been to both US borders to learn about agricultural inspection methods, toured large production farms, and learned about food safety and food defense policies. Arcadia will allow me to combine all those experiences as a Farm Education Intern.

What are you hoping to learn as a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia?

I’m hoping to learn a variety of engaging, hands-on, and entertaining methods to educate children about agriculture, nutrition, and food. I’d like to understand how children perceive food and how to broaden their appreciation of and exposure to food, agriculture, and the environment. Everyone has that favorite food memory, so hopefully I can help create that while at Arcadia. I want to learn how a non-profit like Arcadia works and learn more about the food system and food security issues within the DC metro region, as well as how to communicate these issues to children (and those that are young at heart).

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

This is a tough question. If the question is based on what vegetable I eat the most and therefore “you are what you eat,” I would be cilantro or a potato. Cilantro adds an extra punch to a dish, while you can cook potatoes in so many different ways. I think I can relate to both in that I’m versatile and tend to adapt to situations well. I relate to cilantro with its zest and gusto…mine would be a zest for knowledge, food, and fun. I’m also pretty well-grounded. On that note, I would be corn with all the puns and corny jokes I make.

Gretchen Verilli

What experiences have prepared you for this position?

Prior to this internship, I was a nutrition intern and dining educator for UVa Dining for almost 5 years. Both of those positions taught me a lot about promoting health and wellness to students in a way that is both fun for them and effective in communicating our message. I also spent a summer during college working on a farm and selling the products at several farmers’ markets around the area.

What are you hoping to learn as a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia?

I am hoping to learn new and exciting ideas of how to promote healthy lifestyles to children. I hope to get children excited about nutritious foods, and also learn more about farming and agriculture.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

I would be an eggplant. They thrive in full sunshine, and I love the color.

We're hiring summer Farm Camp Counselors!

“This experience reinstates why I'm committed to farm education.” - 2012 Farm Camp Counselor

Would you like to help create the next generation of sustainable farmers, chefs, and eaters? If so, we have the job for you!

We’re looking for Counselors for the second season of Arcadia Farm Camp. Counselors will be primarily responsible for an age-specific group of children during four one-week sessions. This is a paid position and runs from July 1-August 5. Camp hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30am-5:00pm beginning July 8.

At Arcadia Farm Camp, we seek to connect children (ages 6-12) to where their food comes from through hands-on farming, cooking, and eating experiences. Campers will develop an understanding of food origins, seasonality, sustainable agriculture, historic preservation, land conservation, and culinary arts.

Farm Camp Counselors have enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture and the environment, a willingness to get dirty in the garden, and an ability to carry out lesson plans. They play a vital role in creating a vibrant and fun learning environment for campers. Please view the job description for full details and application instructions. Must be at least 21 years old to apply. Deadline for applications is April 2, 2013.

Welcome Morgan, New Farm Education Manager

Morgan Maloney is Arcadia's new Farm Education Manager. While Morgan is no stranger to many at Arcadia (she was a farm education intern last Fall), here's your chance to learn a little more about why we're so excited to have her as part of the team.  

What experiences have prepared you for this position?
A combination of experience in both out-of-the-classroom education and volunteer coordination has helped to prepare me for this position. During my three-year tenure with the Appalachia Service Project I guided hundreds of volunteers through home repairs for low-income families. I also designed and led evening programs aimed at educating youth and adults about Appalachian poverty. Teaching people of all ages how to use a circular saw for the first time is quite a thrilling experience! Most recently, I was a Farm Education Intern at Arcadia. In this role I taught elementary students during our 2012 fall field trip season and honed my farm-based education skills under the tutelage of Liz Whitehurst, a truly inspiring educator. My contagious passion for food justice has been the common thread throughout all of these experiences, and continues to serve me in this new position.

What is most exciting to you about your new job as Education Manager at Arcadia?
That is a rather difficult question because I’m ecstatic about every part of my new position. I hail from the DC metro area so I’m most looking forward to playing an active role in affecting the food landscape of an area I love through youth education!

I’m eager to have new groups out to the farm this spring and fall for Field Trips. We have expanded the program to three days a week which allows us to continue our existing partnerships with schools in D.C. and Virginia and to create additional opportunities for students to learn about healthy foods. For similar reasons, I’m looking forward to leading a successful second year of Farm Camp this summer. We have doubled in size since our pilot year which means twice as many young minds to inspire!

I’m also excited to work with a passionate and diverse team of interns. The impact that this group of aspiring farmers and educators can have on our education programs is truly amazing. Together we’ll experience creative collaborations, share delicious foods, and assist one another in active learning.

What are some of your goals for the 2013 season?
During the 2013 season I aim to strengthen our education programs across the board. This means bringing more children out to the farm, connecting with more schools through educational Mobile Market visits, and continuing to provide innovative, farm-based curriculum. I want to be intentional about having the greatest impact on the lives of children in the areas we serve. This will involve in-classroom follow up lessons and learning evaluations that will guide our program improvements. In order to accomplish these goals we have excellent new, as well as seasoned, farm educators who are ready to play a significant role in this growth.

I would also like to build our Get Growing! Workshops into a model for adult education on sustainable food and agriculture practices within the region. Our expert workshop instructors have knowledge to help affect changes that will sustain our food system and the environment for future generations.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

My go-to answer for this question, which I get asked more often than is probably normal, is a Carrot. I’m a red-head so I feel a natural connection to this delicious vegetable. Plus, carrots can surprise you and grow in such interesting ways when hidden under the soil. Pulling up a carrot that has twisted together with its neighbor is one of the most delightful harvest discoveries. 

The Arcadia team would like to wish Liz Whitehurst the best of luck in her new job as the On-Farm Initiative Program Director at the Angelic Organics Learning Center in Caledonia, IL. Thank you, Liz, for all of your hard work, and good luck!  

Planning Your Garden Workshop coming up!

Grey February days always get me a little down.  It's hard to get myself moving and motivated to go outside to face a world that's bitter cold and dreary.  It's times like this that I turn to the prospect of spring to keep me going, and there's only one place that it's perpetually spring: inside the pages of the seed catalogs that flood my mailbox every winter. 

Of course, I want to grow everything in my garden, but even my giddy, excited winter self knows that that's not practical for the space that I have and the time that I have to devote to it.  So, I take the time to plan things out methodically and practically to ensure that I'll have a productive and manageable space.

I'm incredibly excited to be teaching the Planning Your Garden workshop in just a few short weeks.  I'll be talking about everything that you need to know to get started in gardening, whether this is your first year or you've been at it for a few years and want to take your growing to the next level.  We'll discuss everything from picking and preparing the right sight to choosing the right crops to grow in your space and how to maximize your space to some of the the challenges and pitfall you might come across and strategies for dealing with them.  Make sure to bring any and all questions so that we can help troubleshoot them!

Register now to reserve your spot!

Become a Volunteer Farm Educator at Arcadia

"Watching kids see a carrot pulled from the ground for the first time is something special. Their eyes light up and and you can almost witness the synapses in their brain fire. Before your very eyes, their schema for a carrot has changed. That's pretty awesome." - Volunteer Farm Educator

Arcadia Farm field trips are full of aha! moments: when a child sees a pumpkin on the vine for the first time, when kids try radishes - and actually like them, when a teachers gets a great idea for his school garden. Volunteer Farm Educators are a key part of making it all happen.

They help monitor the space, provide instruction and supervision, and assist with general garden maintenance. We provide training for volunteers who can commit to one Wednesday, Thursday or Friday each week from 9:30am to 2:30 per week from April 1st to June 15. The full volunteer position description is here.

Helping kids discover where their food comes from is pretty magical and we happen to think it has long-term impacts, like healthier lifestyles and a healthier environment. If you want to get involved, email info@arcadiafood.org with your resume and a note describing your interest. We'd love to have your help!

Calling all early birds: Register now for Arcadia Farm Camp

Warmer months may seem far away, but we're already excited about a summer full of food, farming and fun: Registration for the 2013 season of Arcadia Farm Camp opens today! This year, we're even offering an Early Bird discount to campers who complete registration on or before March 15, so sign up now!

We're already busy planning a jam-packed schedule full of hands-on activities. There's tried and true activities, like building bug houses and making squish squash pasta, plus new ideas to try, like a food miles relay race and solar oven cooking. (101 Gardening Projects for Kids is one of our favorite resources for fun kids stuff.) We'll be working with our new Farm Director Stephen to find the right projects for young farmers and we're definitely recruiting chefs for some tasty seasonal cooking demos - email liz@arcadiafood.org if you know a chef who wants to stop by!

Plus, we're already accepting donations to the Arcadia Farm Camp Scholarship Fund. If you think it's important for all kids to have the opportunity to discover where their food comes from, head over to our scholarship fund page to learn more.