Fun Field Day at Fox Haven Farm
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On Saturday, July 12th, the Maryland Small Farm Cooperative hosted a Field Day at Fox Haven Farm in Jefferson, MD. Fox Haven is the site of an orchard for the Chestnut breeding program of the Maryland Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation.
 Dick Bittner, Fox Haven Farm Manager, Harriett Crosby, Farm owner, and Robert Strasser, American Chestnut Research Associate.
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The field day provided visitors with lots of information on various stewardship and conservation programs available to farmers and landowners. There were many good things to eat with fresh produce and cut flowers available for sale.
Events included:
- An organic garden tour led by Dick Bittner, Farm Manager, showing the garden’s solar powered water system and other practices;
- Mark Seibert, the District Conservationist with the Frederick and Catoctin Soil Conservation Districts, talked about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) illustrated by the native tree plantings and warm season grass meadow at Fox Haven; and
- A tour of the Fox Haven renovated house illustrated a number of “green” building and landscape practices including a passive solar sun room, composting toilets, recycled wood flooring, stone fireplace from the property, recycled decking, rain gardens and a grey water system.
Exhibits included:
- An expert was available to discuss Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) control from Frederick County Weed Control;
- A Specialist who certifies organic farms and food processors from the Maryland Department of Agriculture;
- Staff from the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, Frederick County Master Gardeners offered information at their exhibit.
- The Frederick County Beekeepers Association demonstrated a new method for getting started in beekeeping and honey harvesting and gave samples of honey;
- Volunteers from the Frederick Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society offered information on creating habitat for birds;
- The Common Market Food Cooperative and My Organic Market (MOM’s) had exhibits; and
- Additional exhibits included pack goats, alpacas, and Suffolk sheep.
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