In this update:

* Loving the Local Wine
* Grape Stomp Rescheduled for This Weekend
* Farmers Markets are Starting to Close - Visit 'Em Before They Do!
* Keep Agribusiness Out of the White House
* Reminder - Apply Now for 2010 Montgomery Master Gardener Classes


Loving the Local Wine

When my wife and I first arrived in the D.C. area 14 years ago we went to a wine festival in Virginia, and discovered that many of these new wines were ... well ... let's just say they were not that good. Of course 14 years is a long time for wineries to learn their craft, and I'm delighted to announce after a recent trip to Loudon County, Virginia that there is now a lot of extremely good wine being produced there.

While we tend here at MVG to focus on the gardening, farming and food production of our own Montgomery County, the bigger point is to focus on local food - and there is no doubt that Loudon County, Virginia, a mere 40 miles from southern Montgomery County and right across the Potomac from the northern part, is well within our local bio-region.

The Washington Post recently ran a good story on the growing wine industry in Loudon County by wine writer Dave McIntyre, who also highlighted some of the best wineries.  Click here to read "In Grape Shape." And click here to read his specific winery recommendations.

[p.s. - It takes a little longer, but for a beautiful scenic trip to Loudon County, try driving up through Montgomery County and crossing at White's Ferry - the only ferry crossing left on the Potomac River.]

 
Grape Stomp Rescheduled for This Weekend

And speaking of wine... you may recall our notice about the '09 Grape Stomp two weekends ago at Sugarloaf Mountain Winery, Montgomery County's only winery, located in our famed Agricultural Reserve.

Well, the weather was frightful that weekend, so they have rescheduled the stomp for this Saturday, October 31 from Noon - 8pm - - a Halloween Stomp Party! They will have contests at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to come in costume; there is no charge, and prizes will be awarded. Free, light munchies will be served all day, along with wine tastings, of course, and there will be live music and other performances.

For more information on the Halloween Stomp Party, click here.


 
Farmers Markets Are Starting to Close - Visit 'Em Before They Do!

As the weather grows colder, many of our county's local farmers markets are closing for the season.

As this and the following weekend are the last for many of the area markets, we urge you to make a point of visiting them one last time to buy up everything you can. And remember that some of the fresh produce you can buy now, especially items like winter squashes and root vegetables, will last for weeks if not months when stored in a cool, dry location. (Just ask your farmers at the markets - they'll tell you what will and won't last, and how to store items.)

For a schedule of farmers market closings in Montgomery County, as well as those that are open year-round, click here.



Keep Agribusiness Out of the White House

We have in the past pointed out that while the President and First Lady Michelle Obama have taken some encouraging actions in support of local and organic food, including establishing a garden on the White House grounds and a nearby farmers market, there has also been an unsettling alliance with corporate agribusiness.

Unfortunately this is happening again, as last month President Obama nominated two agribusiness executives for key positions in his administration.

Roger Beachy, nominated to direct the new National Institute of Food and Agriculture, was the head of Danforth Plant Science Center, a nonprofit closely linked to and funded by corporate food giant Monsanto. And Islam Siddiqui, nominated by Obama as Chief Agriculture Negotiator, was a paid lobbyist for Croplife America, which represents chemical pesticide and biotechnology interests including Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta. (Ironically, it was CropLife America's regional partner that launched a letter petition drive urging the First Lady to consider using insecticides and herbicides in her organic garden.)

These are two textbook cases of the "revolving door" between industry and the agencies meant to keep watch on them, and both men are too beholden to corporate agriculture to serve the public interest, certainly when it comes to re-visioning our national and international food systems.

The Organic Consumers Association is, along with other groups, circulating a petition urging President Obama to reconsider these appointments. If you agree that top agriculture positions should not be given to corporate lobbyists, please click her to sign the petition, and join us in telling the President that this isn't the change we were hoping for. (And forward this message to your friends - we need lots of signatures on this petition!)

For a comprehensive, no-holds-barred analysis of President Obama's appointments and his agricultural policy from OCA's Policy Director Alexis Baden-Mayer, click here.
 

 
Reminder - Apply Now for 2010 Montgomery Master Gardener Classes

Final reminder, everyone - classes for the Montgomery County Master Gardeners program begin in January of 2010, and registration for this once a year course will take place in early November.

The Master Gardeners have been great partners to Montgomery Victory Gardens and a great force to promote and teach gardening in our county - so why not join their ranks? Their comprehensive training only happens once a year, is first come, first served, and fills up quickly -  so if you are interested you will want to send them your information right away!

Click here for more information and to get on the Master Gardener course registration mailing list.



That's it for this week! Don't forget to send us your feedback, as well as ideas for stories or local food events we can promote, by emailing us at info@montgomeryvictorygardens.org.

Thanks!

Gordon Clark,
Project Director
Montgomery Victory Gardens