Powerful Criticism of MC School Food at Panel Discussion

It was absolutely gorgeous outside on June 2, but it got hot inside at the "Food Security in Maryland" community event that day, when the discussion turned to the food served at Montgomery County public schools.

The panel included Montgomery County Councilmember Valerie Ervin, State Sen. Jamie Raskin, Caroline Taylor of Montgomery Countryside Alliance, Montgomery County farmer Sophia Maravell of Nick's Organic Farm and Brickyard Educational Farm, and Michele Levy of Crossroads Community Food Network and the Montgomery County Food Council. I was honored to serve as moderator.

As you can see in this article from the following week's Gazette - which appeared as the lead story on the front page - the county's public school food might meet federal nutrition standards, but it falls flat when it comes to taste and appeal for county parents and their kids, many of whom decline to eat it. And there is only a smattering of fresh, local food served, at best. Concerns were also raised about the lack of food and agricultural education in the schools, with many children not even aware of the existence of the MC Agricultural Reserve - even when they are living in it.

Our county can do better - a lot better. Stay turned in the coming weeks and months as MVG and others follow up on the ideas proposed at this forum. And many thanks to the Farm Food Freedom Coalition, the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op, and the City of Takoma Park for sponsoring this important event!

Food Gardening and Farming at the Folk Festival!

The Smithsonian Folk Festival is both a national treasure and a great local annual tradition - this year we are delighted that food and agriculture issues will be taking center stage as part of the 2012 Folk Festival's "Campus and Community" theme.

From the Festival website: "The year 1862 marks the founding of two types of institutions that touch the lives of people across the United States and the world every single day: public universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The universities and USDA partner with communities to put research into action in the areas of agriculture and food, health care, sustainable living, urban and rural revitalization, and education. This Festival program will bring these partnerships to life through demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on activities."

Activities include learning about heirloom seeds, exercising your green thumb in their garden spaces; advice from Executive Master Gardeners, learning how to grow your own pizza garden, and more!

The Folks Life Festival is always fascinating, and it will be especially so for foodies this year. The Fair runs through Sunday, July 8 - check it out! (Please note - due to damage caused by yesterday's storm, the Festival will be temporarily closed Sunday, July 1. In case of more storms, check the website before heading down....)

Garlic Harvesting and Curing

If you haven't harvested your garlic already, now's the time! Late June to early July is typical harvest for garden garlic in our area, but the warm winter/early spring has sped most things up, so garlic that is still in the ground is looking pretty brown at this point. Not to worry - just take action to harvest it now!

The basics include using a fork to break up the ground before you pull on the garlic - those roots can hold on tight and necks can break if you just yank on 'em. And be careful with the fork, so you don't accidentally spear those lovely garlic heads you've waiting for so patiently. Then they need to be cured before storage - the photo is part of my crop air-drying in the sun, which will be followed by a couple weeks curing inside before storage. Click here for some simple tips on the curing process, or check out this video presentation on the curing of garlic by Roger Doiron, of Kitchen Gardener's International fame.

I lost around 40% of my garlic crop to white rot this year (damn you, sclerotia!!), but still have plenty of this cooking essential to spice up our food through the summer and fall. Here's hoping your own garlic harvest is plentiful!

Farm and Food Bill Results in the Senate

With thanks to everyone of you who made calls to Senators Mikulski and Cardin, a number of important amendments were attached to the Senate's Farm and Food Bill this month. Following are a few key ones, with a link of how our Senators voted next to it:

* Assistance to beginning farmers, rural communities and value added producers - passed 55-44

* Per farm cap on commodity crop loan benefits - passed 75-24

* Reattaching conservation requirements to federal crop insurance subsidies - passed 52-47

* Improved crop insurance support for organic farmers - passed 63-36

Of course, we were also defeated on a number of key amendments, especially on Sen. Bernie Sanders' amendment to allow states to require labeling of genetically modified foods, which was defeated by a resounding 26-73. (Lest you think Monsanto has lost any of its influence...) Click here a detailed account of the Senate bill by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

The bill still points our nation's agriculture in a fundamentally wrong direction, heavily subsidizing commodity crops over veggies and fruits, and agribusiness over family farmers, but the amendments outlined are significant steps in the right direction. Thanks again for all of you who helped shape a better bill - and now let's see what the House comes up with....

Potato Bags - a Great Way to Grow Potatoes this Fall!

Potatoes can be vexing - a super easy crop to grow that nonetheless succumbs too easily to heat, early blight, and a variety of other issues. As I've experimented with container gardening this year, I've discovered that commercially available potato bags are an easy, fun and convenient way to grow potatoes.

The picture at right is of one of two potato bags I grew this spring, with the plant three feet tall and still hale and hearty, at a time when my in-ground potato plants have long since died. Being able to move it out of the sun during intense heat waves probably helped (the bag is easy to move, if heavy when full), and the ability to create a specific soilless growing medium probably helped too. (No soil-borne diseases like early blight present, and an extra helping of peat moss in the compost helps keep the pH at the extra acidic level potatoes prefer.)

Haven't harvested yet - why should you when the plants are still growing?! - but I expect the results underground will mirror those above. Available online at companies such as Gardener's Supply, and at local garden supply stores like Behnke's, potato bags are a great way to grow potatoes - a fall crop of which you should start in July. Have fun!

Young People's Gardening Class - Monday, July 23

Back by popular demand, Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring is hosting another Intro to Food Growing for Young People workshop, presented by Montgomery Victory Gardens. (At left is a picture of our first class, in April.)

There's still plenty of time left in the growing season to start your own food garden, in the ground or in containers, and this workshop is a great introduction for kids ages 4 and up. Come learn about good nutrition and the basics of food growing, including how to start plants, water and fertilize them, and safety tips for the garden - plus participants will get to take newly planted seeds home to watch them sprout and grow! Snacks will also be served. (Note: parent or guardian must attend with child.)

The class will be on Monday, July 23 from 4-5pm at the Whole Foods Market in downtown Silver Spring. Class is free, but registration is requested. Click here to sign your kids up for the Intro to Food Gardening for Young People workshop.

Montgomery County Farm Tour Days - July 28 & 29

Our county's farm tour weekend is a wonderful tradition - a great way to learn about local agriculture, to support our local farmers, and to buy local food... not to mention a great day in the countryside! (Especially for those MVG readers who, like myself, live down county.)

This year will be the 22nd Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 & 29, from 10am - 4pm. Come spend a day or two in the country petting farm animals, having lunch by a scenic pond, talking with actual farmers, and picking/purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and more. It's an educational experience and a great family outing all in one - and once again, a great way to support local farmers in our county.

The list of participating farms is being finalized, and will appear on this website. Mark your calendar now!

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That's it for now! Thanks for sharing these emails with your friends, and forwarding us ideas for stories in the update.

With high hopes you all get your power back and can make your way to the garden soon!