It's On!

The CSA is underway

It's amazing how seeding a few flats can put an end to the half-slumber of winter and really get the energy going around the farm.  Here you see the first of our seedlings, glorious onions.  We're doing 3 varieties this year, all heirloom.  They were just moved today, out of the germination chamber and onto the Erin Scally designed radiant heat system in the greenhouse.  I have a feeling they're going to be plenty happy there, and nice and robust once we get to moving them out to the field.

If you've yet to fully come out of your winter hibernation, better get cracking and sign up for the CSA asap!  We're really excited about the varietal makeup of the vegetable profile for the season.....and REALLY excited to bring you raspberries for the first time!  Plus, we have a couple from Lancaster joining us as apprentices for the season.  They have great energy and a real passion for all things farming.  I'm predicting a tremendous season.  I hope you'll join us!

2012 Fairie Festival Photos

Teen Battle Chef

The Teen Battle Chef program empowers youth to become ambassadors for healthy eating, through hands-on cooking activities. TBC is the flagship program for FamilyCook Productions. This year  FamilyCook Productions is partnering with TV's Dr. Oz to bring TBC to over 50 schools across the country. Spoutwood Farm is the model for Farm/CSA Teen Battle Chef programs that are "stirring up change" in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Teen Battle Chef is an eight session program that teaches teens and "tweens" how to cook using fresh, healthful ingredients. Each week two teams of young chefs learn culinary skills, nutrition, team work and leadership as they make (and taste) delicious multicultural recipes and present their finished products in the weekly "food battles." The chefs learn about the county of origin of the recipes and experience new foods and flavors. Ultimately each team researches and creates a recipe to prepare for the "final battle." Family and special guests are invited to celebrate with the teams at their final presentations. The cost for the eight week program is $80.00 per chef

Spoutwood's Teen Battle Chefs can go on to lead food demonstrations at Spoutwood events, community health fairs, farmers markets, and create garden to table cooking demonstrations during the CSA season. We are also "cooking up" opportunities for Spoutwood Teen Battle Chefs to host other TBC teams in an invitational "cook off."

Our spring TBC program will be held at Woodberry Crossing,
925 Stablersville Road, Parkton, MD 21120

Saturdays from 2-4:30

April 2, 9, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4

Our summer TBC program will be held at Spoutwood Farm
4255 Pierceville Road, Glen Rock, PA 17327

July 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21 2-5 pm

Register online or contact:

Liz Leinwand 443 695 0015 lizleinwand@comcast.net

Spoutwood Farm Proudly Presents

 A Parade of Garden Vegetables & Musical Instrument Making Workshop at...

The 7th Annual Mother Earth Hands-On Harvest Fair

Saturday, October 1, 2011 10am to 5pm
Spoutwood Farm, Glen Rock

On October 1, 2011 from 10:00am - 5:00pm Spoutwood Farm presents the 7th Annual Mother Earth Hands-On Harvest Festival. Among the many fun fall activities there will be a Parade of Garden Vegetables. Join adults and children alike as we march and dance through the festival in our finest vegetable garden costumes. A prize will be given to all persons costumed and joining in the parade. Dress up as your favorite garden edible, garden critter, a garden shovel, or gardener themselves!

Download a costume guide here!

You can also join in the fun of our garden parade by playing your own hand made percussion instrument! Using objects found in nature, as well as repurposed materials, we will be creating some very cool drums and rattles. This is a fun craft for children and adults alike, and makes for a wonderful keepsake to remember your day at the fair! Workshop is free, scheduled at various times during the fair.

spoutwood@comcast.net 

Spoutwood Farm Observatory

News and Announcements for 2012

1. Vernal Equinox Open House  You are cordially invited to the first of our four Open Houses, Friday March 23rd, at 6 p.m.  Come out to the Farm and celebrate the arrival of Spring in the charm of the Frodo Building, take a tour of the Observatory, and see telescope views of Venus, Mars, Saturn, and much more!  Please see the 'Schedule' tab for more information concerning our 2012 Open Houses.  

                                  

 

2. Introducing the Spoutwood Space Gallery  The Spoutwood Farm Observatory is pleased to present our first online gallery of astrophotography, now available on this website and on our Spoutwood Farm Center Facebook page. Enjoy digital CCD images of the Sun, Moon, and planets, as well as video streams and composite slide shows.

                                                                                                    Jupiter Optimus Maximus 

 

3. Galaxies and Nebulae  We are pleased to report the return to action of our 20" Dobsonian reflecting telescope after surviving a large ash tree falling on the roof of its shed.  Miraculously only minor damage was done to the roof; after a thorough cleaning the telescope works perfectly.  Don't miss the stunning views of deep space offered by this excellent telescope!  

The Dobsonian Shed after the Halloween Snowstorm of 2011.  The sundial is untouched in the only clear spot on the deck.