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Future Harvest - A Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

 

Future Harvest CASA is a network of farmers, agricultural professionals, landowners and consumers living and working in the Chesapeake region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington DC. Future Harvest CASA promotes profitable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable food and farming systems that work to sustain communities. Read more about who we are and how to contact and support us. 

Future Harvest CASA Events

Click here for details and registration

  • May 29 - Organic Orchard and Value-Added Farm Products at Country Pleasures Farm (Middletown, MD)
  • June 22 - Retail Farming for Success on the Delmarva at Greenbranch Farm (Salisbury, MD)
  • July 13 - Engaging the Public Through Farm-Based Education at Fox Haven Farm (Jefferson, MD)
  • July 21 - Farm Longevity and Multi-Farm CSA at Potomac Vegetable Farms (Vienna, VA)

 
 
Farmer Friend Locavore Restaurants

brochure coverMany restaurants claim to source locally, but how can a consumer be sure that a restaurant is really buying from local farmers on a consistent basis?

The Future Harvest CASA "Farmer Friend" Locavore Restaurant listing is a new tool that lets the farmers themselves tell you who is supporting them. That's right, the farmers who sell to these restaurants have asked us to recognize them. You know that when you eat at these resaurants you are supporting a true Chesapeake region farm-to-table business. How's that for authenticity?

You can download a printable pdf of the listing brochure or scroll through the listings below.

FARMERS: Click here to add the restaurants that support YOU. If you are a restaurateur who purchases from local farmers, ask them to add you to the listing. We need your help to make this listing as comprehensive as it can be!

Go to the online listing.
 
Consumer Resources

Amazing Grazing cover

 

Amazing Grazing Directory  

Search the Amazing Grazing directory to find grass-based farms that sell meat, poultry, dairy and eggs direct to consumers or print the pdf.

 

"Farmer Friend" Locavore Restaurantsbrochure cover

We asked farmers which restaurants buy from them consistently and are committed to supporting local producers. Check out the listings online or print the pdf. If you know a restaurant that should be here, send this link to their farmer-suppliers so they can be added.

Also check out a list of online resources about sustainable agriculture and sources for sustainably grown food, as well as our online bookstore from Chelsea Green Publishing!

Meet Your Farmers

Check out our profiles of some local farmers and active members of Future Harvest CASA!
Read more...
 
Farmer Resources

CONFERENCE 2014 - The Call for Proposals for next year's conference, January 17 & 18, 2014, is now open. Please see the Call for Proposals for more details. Submissions are due by June 1, 2013.

"Farmer Friend" Locavore Restaurant Listing - FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS click here to tell us which restaurants support YOU.

Beginner Farmer Training Program - New farmers may still apply for 2013 program for Eastern Shore ONLY. 

FARM BILL AND FISCAL CLIFF

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition » National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Supporting economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities
  • Key Amendments Debated During Farm Bill Markups This Week
    Both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees held their respective committee “markup” sessions this week.  Initial drafts of the 2013 Farm Bill written mainly by the Chairs and Ranking Members of each committee were presented to members and modified through several hours of debate and committee votes through the amendment process.  While the Senate markup Read the Rest...
 

CASA Notes - An archive of our bimonthly email newsletter.

Eat Fresh Maryland Farmers Market Network - Collaboration and joint marketing efforts among Maryland farmers markets accepting federal nutrition benefits.

Job/Land Bulletin Board - Future Harvest CASA members may post help wanted, for sale, and other farm-related announcements. All are welcome to browse the listings.

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Maryland Grazers Network - A mentorship program that pairs experienced livestock, dairy, sheep and poultry producers with farmers who want to learn new grazing skills. 

Topic of Interest Groups - Free Google groups foster the exchange of peer-to-peer information on specific areas of sustainable agriculture practice.

 

Web Links - Links to information on a variety of topics from technical information on sustainable agriculture practices, to farm business planning and marketing, issues and advocacy.

 
 
Chesapeake Foodshed Initiative

Thanks to a grant from the Town Creek Foundation, Future Harvest CASA has been working since late 2012 on an effort called the Chesapeake Foodshed Initiative. With a core team of farmers and food businesses, not-for-profit and government organizations, the first phase of the Chesapeake Foodshed Initiative has been focused on gauging the region's appetite for a more proactive approach to food systems planning and coordination. 
Read more...