Enjoy our latest blogs posted below and read about us in the news! What You Can Grow on a Rooftop in Arlington, Kalina Newman, ArlNow, October 15, 2019 Urban Agriculture Group Seeking Farm at Amazon's HQ2, Kalina Newman, ArlNow, September 11, 2019 Growing Interest in Urban Agriculture in Arlington Means More Crops, Bees, Airey, ArlNow, August 19, 2019 |
News
Golden Radish Award: Kirsten Conrad
Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture on December 12th will present Kirsten Conrad with our 2019 Golden Radish Award to recognize her significant contributions to growing urban agriculture in Arlington. RSVP today!  Before coming to Virginia, Kirsten spent four years in southern Delaware advising homeowners on sustainable design and horticultural best management practices. Before moving East, Kirsten spent 12 years in Bloomington, Indiana where she owned and operated a landscape services business, revamped Indiana University’s Tree Donation program, and served on the Board of Directors of Hilltop Garden and Nature Education Center. She held a Visiting Lecturer position in the School of Recreation and Park Administration at Indiana University and received Advanced Master Gardener status while serving as President and Vice-President of the Monroe County Master Gardener Association.  Beginning in 2009, the Arlington Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension developed a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Lecture series that offers educational “how to” workshops on topics like urban aquaculture, chicken keeping, mushroom production, organic labeling, vegetable gardening and demonstrations on how vegetable gardening can be a viable means to obtaining better nutrition and to stretching a food budget. In 2010, Arlington VCE brought the Growing Communities workshop here from the American Community Garden Association to promote understanding and awareness of community garden development. In 2012, in collaboration with the Arlington Healthy Community Action Team and Alexandria Childhood Obesity Action Network, VCE organized and led 2 workshops on community garden leadership. In 2014, a pilot Garden Coaches program began to provide direct support to community garden grant recipients and the Big Book of Gardening Knowledge was created as a resource for community gardeners in both paper and electronic versions. Today, informal support is provided to 5 community gardens and 8 school gardens throughout Arlington and Alexandria via Master Gardener volunteers and VCE agent site visits.  Master Gardener volunteers staff 2 Arlington plant clinic locations (5 total in the region), weekly from April through October and staff a daily horticulture help desk at the Fairlington Community Center. In addition, during the growing season, Master Gardener volunteers conduct weekly Plant Clinics at Arlington Central Library and Arlington Courthouse Farmers Market (plus two weekly plant clinics in Alexandria). In collaboration with the Arlington Extension 4H program, 6 schools host 6 week Junior Master Gardener education programs. In 2012, Kirsten Conrad provided support and advice to Arlington County’s Urban Agriculture Task Force and provided information and recommendations for its Food Action Plan report submitted to the County Board in 2013. In 2015, Arlington VCE created and implemented the first urban agriculture symposia. Repeated in 2017 and 2018, these day-long workshop style public education offerings brought regional urban agriculture experts to Arlington and showcased the County’s steady growth in urban agriculture infrastructure as well as the Extension Master Gardeners education skills and the work of Virginia State University and Virginia Tech. In 2017, Arlington was the site of the state-wide Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit at George Mason University. Arlington VCE played a significant leadership role in planning and implementing this Summit. In 2018, and 2019 as part of an urban agriculture exchange program, Professor Celso Albuquerque of UNISUL in Tubarao, and Professor Leo Rufato of UDESC in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil visited Arlington, Fairfax and Alexandria urban agriculture programs and sites. These visits followed Kirsten Conrad’s visit to Brazil in 2017. In 2019, in partnership with Friends of Urban Agriculture, Arlington Food Assistance Center and Marymount University, Arlington VCE helped plan and supported several events during October Urban Agriculture Month. |
FOUA Winter Meeting: What Our Region Grows
Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture’s winter meeting on Thursday, December 12 6:30pm - 8:30pm at the Central Library will highlight our regional food system and recognize local leadership in the urban agriculture movement.
Event is free and open to the public. |
FOUA Proposed an Urban Farm on Amazon's HQ2 Campus
FOUA sent a letter (below and attached) to a variety of stakeholders in the development process for Amazon’s HQ2 in Crystal City proposing an Integrate Urban Farm concept be considered in the design. FOUA wrote the proposal in light of the upcoming Site Plan Review Committee meeting for HQ2 on Monday, September 23. Click here for more info on the planning process for Amazon's HQ2 development. * * * * * * * September 4, 2019 Dear HQ2 Development Civic Stakeholder:  As a non-profit civic organization focused on building a vibrant, local food ecosystem within Arlington, Friends of Urban Agriculture (FOUA) believes urban food production is integral to creating an environmentally sustainable community and economy. We believe Arlington is poised to become a national leader for urban agriculture, and the Metropolitan Park project offers an opportunity to showcase Amazon’s and Arlington’s commitment to sustainable, biophilic (integrating the natural world into the built environment) development.  Much like the successful urban farms found in NYC, St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco, and other comparable cities, the Integrated City Farm will provide a cross-generational public amenity that will offer:
Sincerely, Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture Board |
| Attachments:
FOUA Letter to HQ2 Stakeholders.pdf
Accelerating Urban Agriculture in Arlington - Oct. 3rd
October Urban Agriculture Month Kickoff Event & Social Hour on Oct. 3rd Join Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture at Barley Mac in Rosslyn on Thursday, October 3 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm for food and refreshments, and to learn how we can accelerate urban agriculture initiatives in Arlington.  County Board Member Erik Gutshall will present the annual Arlington proclamation on urban agriculture while guests enjoy a locally-sourced, bespoke drink and food menu (for purchase) curated by Barley Mac's Executive Chefs Mike Cordero and Jeremy Magnanelli.   # # # # # Wythe Marschall is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard, a research associate in controlled environment agriculture (CEA, or “vertical farming”) at Cornell University, and a board member of the FarmTech Society. He researches future visions of farming, biological design, architecture and urban planning, and plant–human interactions. Wythe’s dissertation, an ethnography of agricultural technology startups in greater New York City, examines the production of different economic, social, and environmental values through vertical farming. He documents how a cohort of urban millennials are attempting to use high technologies to redesign the U.S. food system and even achieve food justice. Previously, Wythe co-founded the Biodesign Challenge; lectured in the English Department of Brooklyn College, CUNY; curated art-and-science exhibitions; wrote an Internet show about the history of science; and worked in health and wellness advertising. |
| Attachments:
Oct 3 press release 09042019.pdf
How We Can Grow the Next Generation of Urban Farmers
Arlingtonians young and old gathered at Ashlawn Elementary School on April 11th for Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture’s presentation on “Growing the Next Generation of Urban Farmers.” We had an inspiring discussion on future urban farmers in the area and how children, students, families, teachers, schools, PTAs, and communities can increase outdoor learning and local food production and consumption.  Pamela Hess, Executive Director, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, explained that Arcadia’s mission is to build an equitable and sustainable local food system in the DC metro region. Pamela emphasized that our cheap food system is very expensive in terms of public health citing some very disturbing statistics on diabetes. They operate training programs for veterans, a mobile fresh produce market, kids programs, a farm to school program, and a summer farm camp. They also provide outreach and assistance to school garden programs. Arcadia tracks several metrics to show transformation in kids (e.g. 42.5% increase in kids who like beets). Reggie Morris, Unit Coordinator Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Virginia Cooperative Extension, after leading us in the 4H Pledge, described the Junior Master Gardening Program. This program, in partnership with the Arlington Public Schools, meets once a week after school for six weeks. There is a similar program at Alexandria Public Schools. Virginia Cooperative Extension volunteers lead the students through the entire process of planning, planting and harvesting a vegetable garden. Raena Mitchell, Children's Garden Liaison, Alexandria City Public Schools, explained that her position is new in the school system. Her role is to provide the training, curriculum and technology for schools and teachers to implement school garden and outdoor learning programs. Raena said that the program has been received well by teachers. She emphasizes that this is not an additional program, but instead it’s bringing what they already do in the classroom to outside of the classroom. For example, art teachers bring students outside to draw. Christy Przystawik, Outdoor Classroom Coordinator, Campbell ES-Arlington, described how Campbell has adopted an expeditionary learning model and the outdoor classroom is part of this approach. Two times a year they have 3 month long in-depth units of study (e.g. grow and harvest herbs and cook with them). In addition to their extensive outdoor learning spaces, they have access to Longbranch Park that runs adjacent to the school. 
 FOUA Board Member David Sachs concluded the gathering with a challenge to everyone – be the change. Our students are the next consumers as well as farmers and they should see that it’s normal to eat local. We all should demand food that is grow in Arlington, support farmers markets and local farms, and share our passion with others. |
Arlington's Farmers Markets!
 Arlington Farmers Market, N. 14th Street & N. Courthouse Road Saturdays, open year-round: April – December 8 am – noon, January – March 9 am – noon Ballston Farmers Market, Welburn Park across N. Stuart Street from Ballston Metro Station Thursdays, April - November, 3 pm – 7 pm Pike Park Farmers Market, 2820 Columbia Pike at Walter Reed Drive Saturdays, May – October, 9 am – 1 pm Crystal City Farmers Market, 1900 Crystal Drive between 18th & 20th Streets Tuesdays, May – October, 3 pm – 7 pm Fairlington Farmers Market, 3308 S. Stafford St. at Fairlington Community Center Sundays, May – October, 9 am – 1 pm Lubber Run Farmers Market, Barrett Elementary School, 4401 N. Henderson St. & George Mason Dr Saturdays, April – November, 8 am – noon Marymount Farmers Market, N. Glebe Road at Yorktown Boulevard Saturdays, May – November, 9 am – 1 pm Rosslyn Farmers Market, 1800 N. Lynn Street near Rosslyn Metro Station in Central Place Plaza Wednesdays, May – October, 3 pm – 7 pm Westover Farmers Market, 1644 N. McKinley Road & Washington Blvd. Sundays, open year round, May – November 8 am –noon, December - April 9 am – 1 pm |
Growing the Next Generation of Urban Farmers
Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture invites you to our next public meeting at Ashlawn Elementary School (5850 8th Road N, Arlington) on Thursday, April 11th, 6:30-8:30pm.  We will have panelists leading a discussion on student involvement, nutrition, and comprehensive curriculum development. We will also have hands-on activities for children and young families. Our host and MC: Joan Horwitt, Reevesland Learning Center and Lawns 2 Lettuce 4 Lunch 
We hope to you can join us, and if possible, please share this event with your members and colleagues. If your organization would like to setup exhibits or provide brochures/pamphlets, we’d be happy to display them for you. Email matt@bushelediblegardens.com. |
| Attachments:
FOUA April 11 flyer.jpg
Let's Show the County Board Our Love for Urban Ag!
The Arlington County Board must reduce costs for it’s FY2020 budget. The county’s Urban Agriculture program could be cut. Last December we had a celebration of our accomplishments over the past 5 years. Let’s raise our voices now to show there is robust support for prioritizing a coordinated food sustainability program and our exciting, emerging urban agriculture industry. Climate change challenges bring urgency to our government addressing these priorities. The Urban Agriculture Program’s mission is the advancement of the County-wide goal to improve access to healthy, fresh and sustainably produced foods in Arlington. Created from the 2013 Urban Agriculture Citizen Task Force recommendation, the Urban Agriculture Program synchronizes management of Arlington’s community gardens and farmers markets, conducts outreach and education, and coordinates activities with Virginia Cooperative Extension agents. Additionally, the program provides liaison between Arlington’s burgeoning agriculture start-up businesses and County officials.  Friends of Urban Agriculture believes that the time is right for the County to become a national leader in this emerging economic sector and to address climate change realities. Instead of shrinking, the County should seize this opportunity to support and expand this vital program that enhances Arlingtonians’ health and quality of life and advances environmentally-sustainable food access and food production throughout the County. WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Sincerely, Friends of Urban Agriculture —————————————— SUBJECT: Urban Agriculture Program Proposed FY2020 Budget Cut Dear County Board and Department of Parks & Recreation, I recently learned of the proposed FY2020 budget review and am concerned the Urban Agriculture Program is at risk of elimination. As a patron of Arlington’s vibrant local food ecosystem, I am worried that budget cuts to the Urban Agriculture program will mean ongoing programs will become decentralized and reduced to minimum maintenance levels. In addition, staff and policy support for expansion and innovation in the urban agriculture business sector will be stopped. I request you reconsider proposed budget cuts to the Urban Agriculture Program. I am a proud supporter of Urban Agriculture and believe in its ability to simultaneously advance Arlington’s progressive vision, promote public health, improve our local food system, expand food access, increase environmental stewardship, and promote economic development in the County. Instead of shrinking, the County should seize this opportunity to support and expand this vital program and recognize the time is right for the County to become a national leader in this emerging economic sector and to address climate change realities. Respectfully, NAME ADDRESS |
Our Vision for the Future of Urban Agriculture in Arlington
At our December 12, 2018, meeting, we explored the progress made in the past five years since the County issued its Urban Agriculture Task Force Report (we’ve made a lot progress – read our blog). We then looked toward the future. Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture’s Board of Directors spent time this year defining our vision, mission and strategic goals. We also identified our work for 2019. We envision our work in three phases: Seed, Nurture and Grow. This year is our Seed year as we further refine our areas of work and build our organizational capacity so we can undertake our ambitious mission and agenda. As you read through this blog, ask yourself – how can I help – and then contact us!  Strategic Goals 2019 – 2021
Seed: 2019 GoalsAssess the 2019 status of public, community and for-profit Urban Agriculture initiatives.
Build membership and outreach.
Develop organizational capacity.
Nurture: 2020 Goals
Grow: 2021 and Beyond
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Arlington Urban Agriculture – Look How Far We’ve Come!
 The County recognizes that we are part of a regional food system, and while they focus on what we can do here in the County, they also coordinate and collaborate with regional partners. A robust and sustainable local food system builds a strong economy and community. A responsible food system supports other values like environmental sustainability, social equity and improved health of the participants. Community Gardens There were 276 community garden plots in 2013, and with dividing some larger plots and adding an additional 70, we now have 380, with at least that many still on the wait list. The County splits large plots when the original holder vacates and then assigns to two new plotholders to help address the lengthy waitlists. The County is in the process of automating the waitlist. There are still 7 community gardens, the County expanded two. Each plot represents at least 3 – 4 people and they feed not only their own families but contribute thousands of pounds of fresh produce to AFAC. The County built the first ADA compliant community garden plot in the region at the Lang Street Community Garden. This plot features a vertical garden structure, a concrete pad and driveway access, on-street handicapped parking and an in-ground planting border. DPR staff identified and secured a letter of intent with Service Source, Inc., a local non-profit providing services to disabled adults, to maintain the plot. The community gardeners have welcomed them and are including them in communal activities and responsibilities. Farmers Markets  The County Board approved a special use permit for two new farmers markets in 2018. The market at Arlington Mill Community Center, run by CPRO, serves the west end of Columbia Pike. The community around Lubber Run supported the addition of the County’s eleventh market located in the parking lot of Barrett Elementary School. This market is run by the nonprofit Field to Table. Arlington Farmers Market at Courthouse, managed by Community Foodworks, Inc., led the efforts through Virginia Fresh Match to collaborate with 4 other Arlington markets and others in the region to win a USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant fund SNAP matching for the next three years. The other markets participating include the Rosslyn, Crystal City, Ballston and Arlington Mill farmers markets. Columbia Pike has other matching funds. For every $1 in SNAP benefits a shopper spends, they receive an additional $1 to spend on fruits and vegetables. Food Access AFAC’s Plot Against Hunger Program, a project that seeks to bring fresh produce to AFAC clients from local farmers, gardeners, farmers markets, gleaning organizations and other sources. Since it started in 2007, it has grown to 29 schools, 20 churches, fifteen community-based gardens, eight farmers markets, three CSA (community supported agriculture) groups, three gleaning organizations, as well as numerous individual gardeners. Since its first season in 2007, over 600,000 pounds of fresh produce have been donated to AFAC’s Plot Against Hunger project. In 2018 alone, AFAC volunteers picked up 55,282 pounds of farm fresh produce for needy families in Arlington. Of the current 11 farmers markets, 6 have matching SNAP benefits. These are dollar for dollar additional funds for SNAP shoppers. These funds are supplied by a collaborative USDA grant and their own fundraising efforts. You can donate to these funds by checking the markets’ websites or stopping by their manager’s tables at the market. This program helps make our wonderful markets affordable and accessible to everyone in Arlington. Education & School Programs The many public education classes offered by the Virginia Cooperative Extension and taught by trained volunteers are always well attended. They have 250 Master Gardeners and 143 Master Food Volunteers who teach you how to grow, cook and preserve your food. Our public schools and libraries have gardens maintained by students and volunteers. Each of these has extensive education programs. For example, Central Library holds free Garden Talks throughout the season at the AFAC demonstration garden. You can also find the Garden Tool Lending Shed at Central Library where you can borrow garden tools with a library card. Our local universities – Marymount, George Mason, Virginia Tech – have urban agriculture programs and/or extra-curricular activities. Developing Urban Agricultural Enterprises Moving forward, there are many opportunities to look beyond the basic community garden/home garden model. Areas for development include rooftop, indoor, and edge gardening. Further encouragement of farm to institutions such as hospitals, universities and schools will help build a commercial demand for locally produced food. Examination of potential barriers to agriculture in our urban community such as availability of capital, regulatory issues and transportation infrastructure may warrant further effort. Highlights of urban agriculture enterprises in the past year include the following:
Community Engagement & Outreach The Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture (FOUA) established its inaugural Board of Directors in 2017. FOUA hosts quarterly public educational events, and in 2018, its first social hour at Trade Roots in Westover. A 30 people attended on a very rainy night. FOUA Board members led informal conversations about what people want to see happen in Arlington to further urban agriculture. FOUA also maintained a website, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram, and an email list of over 340 names to share information about resources, news and upcoming programs. For the second year DPR staff and FOUA partnered with Marymount University student club, Food for Thought, to grow basil seedlings, and conduct a giveaway event for metro commuters at the Ballston and Courthouse Metro stations. DPR staff with FOUA hosted a table at the County Fair, including a demonstration on growing microgreens. DPR and FOUA encourage community gardeners to enter their produce and homemade products in the County Fair’s competitions. This is a fun way to draw attention to all the wonderful vegetables Arlingtonians are growing. |
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