Twenty Capital Area Food Bank staff traveled to Clagett Farm on May 7 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland for the organization’s quarterly volunteer day.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clagett Farm is a certified organic farm comprised of approximately 280 acres of land, growing over 40 types of produce. The farm is one of two Community Supported Agriculture farms that the CAFB partners with for Fresh Produce Grant – the other farm is Waterpenny Farm in Sperryville, Virginia.
While at the farm, staff divided into three groups – one group transferred red pepper seedlings into the ground while riding an old-fashioned tractor; another group weeded the radish beds; and the final group transferred four variations of lettuces into a bed near the radishes. After lunch at the picnic benches under the shade and a puppy-petting session with two of the farm’s dogs, the group got back to work adding a semi-permeable cover over one of the previously planted beds. To finish up the day at Clagett, staff completed the intricate process of transferring ground cherries into rows near the house.
The CAFB began the Fresh Produce Grant program nearly a decade ago. Eight partners are selected by the food bank to receive the grant each year and are connected with Clagett Farm to pick up produce every two weeks on a rotating schedule (four partners each week). An additional partner is selected to pick up produce from Waterpenny Farm. The fresh produce they receive averages 400 pounds per pickup. Part of the grant requires the food assistance partners to attend at least one educational workshop at the food bank and host a workshop for their clients.
Clagett Farm sells roughly half of its produce to customers in the D.C. area and donates the other portion to the CAFB. With the help of Clagett Farm, the food bank is able to further its mission of providing families, children and seniors in need with the most nourishing food available.
Click here for volunteer opportunities at Clagett Farm.