FUTURE HARVEST

Join us for information and support regarding the new MSDE Farm to School produce bid tomorrow, Friday July 12th at 4:00 pm online. RSVP: https://lnkd.in/dQriGJts The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is issuing this Invitation for Bids (IFB) in order to procure the services defined in this Section 2, as specified in this IFB, from a contract between the successful bidder(s) and the MSDE. Successful bidders will have responsibility for centralized sourcing, procurement, and distribution of unprocessed or minimally processed local food to LEA’s participating in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! Are you an artist engaged in food and farming? Or do you know someone wonderful who is? We're looking for someone who'd like to work with us to visualize the 2025 Conference Theme: FARMING INTO THE FUTURE. This theme is intended to encompass everything from how to adapt to a changing climate and incorporate new technologies, to regenerating land for future generations of farmers and for furthering efficiency in our region's small- to mid-scale operations along the way. And maybe some space traveling chickens **Trademark Charlotte Carter of Eldersburg Maryland, who's work is featured here. Interested? Email [email protected] subject line CONFERENCE ART #farmconference #farmerartist #farmart

TOMORROW! Register: https://lnkd.in/eEQhGux7 Join Future Harvest for a hands-on no-till vegetable production and rotational grazing field day with Tommy and Michelle Shireman of Third Way Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. During this workshop, participants will learn about seedling production, no-till bed prep and planting, harvesting and post-harvest handling, and get a brief overview of rotational grazing. They broke ground on 67 acres in 2015 and have shaped their farm around the principles of permaculture, sustainability, and regeneration. Tommy and Michelle believe *good* farm is best conceived as a partner in a diverse and multi-faceted ecosystem, so they have chosen to diversify their portfolio by focusing our attention on stewardship of, rather than dominion over. As a testament to their stewardship, they are a no-till farm committed to developing the highest level of sustainable soil management for produce, protein, and fiber. In conjunction with no-till methods, the farmers also practice companion planting, composting, and rotational grazing. $10/ Future Harvest Members; $20/Non-Members; FREE for BFTP & ALDI.

In June, our Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative (ALDI) cohort attended a field day at Virginia Free Farm hosted by Amy Rose Foll. While there, Amy Rose shared her knowledge and experiences of growing and saving Indigenous foods and discussed starting an EBT garden that serves her local community. She also talked about and shared resources on various state and federal grant programs that would benefit the cohort members. Her expertise working with federal and state regulatory communities helped bring a broader perspective to the table and really opened new avenues for the cohort who attended. A delicious catered lunch was provided by Chef Tye which was enjoyed under the large oak trees that canopied the large backyard and duck enclosure. Learn more about Virginia Free Farm: https://lnkd.in/eXTiYvTQ

Share your ideas for how the Maryland state Department of Education can improve produce procurement! $50 stipend available for the first five registrants. Join us online July 8th or July 25th to hear exciting announcements and share your feedback on how farmers can best be served by a new app that will simplify school procurement. The MSDE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs is on a mission to cultivate a thriving and long-lasting farm-to-school community Statewide. REGISTER: July 8th https://lnkd.in/ei3UwAEq July 25th https://lnkd.in/eXy7Hvt9

The 2025 theme is: FARMING INTO THE FUTURE We are accepting workshop proposals now through August 15th and want to hear from you - our community and members - about who you'd like to hear at the event and topics you'd like to see covered! In response to feedback over the last few years, you may notice that we've upped the standard time-slots for presentations. This not only allows for deep dives into particular topics, but also ensures that our speakers have plenty of time to answer participant questions SUBMIT HERE: https://lnkd.in/eW6hNMan If you interested in presenting at the conference or have an idea for a session, submit your proposal through the link above. If you have general suggestions, please share those via email to [email protected] with the subject line: Conference Feedback.

Thursday, 7/11 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - - -Join Future Harvest for a hands-on no-till vegetable production and rotational grazing field day with Tommy and Michelle Shireman of Third Way Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. During this workshop, participants will learn about seedling production, no-till bed prep and planting, harvesting and post-harvest handling, and get a brief overview of rotational grazing. REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/eEQhGux7 They broke ground on 67 acres in Havre de Grace, Maryland in 2015 and have shaped their farm around the principles of permaculture, sustainability, and regeneration. Tommy and Michelle believe *good* farm is best conceived as a partner in a diverse and multi-faceted ecosystem, so they have chosen to diversify their portfolio by focusing our attention on stewardship of, rather than dominion over. As a testament to their stewardship, they are a no-till farm committed to developing the highest level of sustainable soil management for produce, protein, and fiber. In conjunction with no-till methods, the farmers also practice companion planting, composting, and rotational grazing. $10/ Future Harvest Members; $20/Non-Members; FREE for BFTP & ALDI.

Farmers! Want to provide food to schools? The Maryland State Department of Education has opened a procurement bid that may be of interest to our farmers. Please attend the pre-bid session on June 28th if you are interested. Future Harvest will be providing additional information and support sessions, as well as a call center. Join us! Important Dates and Contact Information: Solicitation Open: NOW Prebid: June 28th, 2024 at 4:00PM- 5:00PM (Pre-Bid Conference Link below) Information and Support Session: July 2nd, 4:00pm MSDE Questions Close: July 5th, 2024 at 2:00PM Information and Support Session: July 12th, 4:00pm Solicitation Closes: July 22nd, 2024 at 2:00PM Call Center: 410-231-3570 Support Email: [email protected] Visit the UPCOMING EVENTS page on our website https://lnkd.in/eRSQRy_s to learn more

We are still buzzing from our workshop with photographer and #farmfluencer @mollympeterson Monday. Farmers and reps from farmers came from all over Loudoun, Fauquier and Clarke counties. Many from Maryland and beyond., too Thank you all for joining us and please don't hesitate to send your best shots to [email protected] or tag @fhcasa when you post! And HUGE thanks to our sponsors and partners: @greatcountryfarms @henwayhardcider @loudounbiz @themercva @loudounvafarms

Tuesday June 25th, 12;00 PM -- SARE Farmer Veteran Farmer Grant Presentation REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/eMZQS8C5 Join the Farmer & Rancher Stress Assistance Network Veteran Cohort, the PA Veteran Farming Project, and PA Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, and Skyline Pastures to learn from a farmer veteran successfully applied for a Northeast SARE Farmer Grant and about the SARE Farmer Grant. Hear from CJ Lafferty, a farmer veteran from Skyline Pastures in Hamburg, PA. He operates a diversified livestock farm and has successfully applied for and received the Northeast SARE farmer grant. We’ll hear from him about how he designed his project based on the application criteria, and then implemented his project. Then we’ll hear from a representative from SARE on their Farmer Grant program, how to apply and the types of projects they are looking for.