 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Twilight Tour Baltimore County farmer Jack Gurley, an organic direct-market vegetable grower, will share the secrets of his success at a June 15 twilight field day. The field day, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., is open to farmers, agricultural Extension and anyone interested in learning more about how the Gurleys earn enough to comfortably support a family of four without off-farm income. “I consider myself a better marketer than a farmer,” says Gurley, who farms full time with his wife, Beckie. “Most farmers know how to grow vegetables better than I do, but need help with marketing. I want to tell them there are other ways to crack the nut.” Jack and Beckie Gurley sell their bountiful produce to an area grocery co-op, three farmers markets and a 50-member community farm group. They supply those venues with the harvest from just five acres. Selling dozens of vegetables and herbs direct to the public has helped Gurley set his own prices and earn a handy annual net profit. For example, he sells organic tomatoes for $2.50 a pound, while others wholesale for 50 cents a pound. Tomatoes, always hot-sellers, are just one crop of dozens of vegetables and herbs that visitors to Gurley’s Calvert’s Gift Farm will see growing in the ground, greenhouse and a season-extending high tunnel. Gurley also will describe the alternative pest management methods he uses to enable him to be certified organic. Gurley will be joined by Dave Martin, Baltimore County Extension Director, Caragh Fitzgerald, Howard County Extension Educator and Mark Davis, president of the board of Future Harvest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting profitable and sustainable food and farming systems in the Chesapeake Bay region. Gurley is a member of Future Harvest’s board. Calvert’s Gift Farm is located at 16813 Yeoho Road in Sparks, just west of I-83 in Baltimore County. For directions, go to http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=16813+Yeoho+Road&csz=Sparks%2C+MD+21152&country=us&new=1&name=&qty= and click “city” in the list at left. Future Harvest-CASA
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
