2010 Calendar of Classes and Events

January back to top

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, January 23, 2010
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Education Center
Pre-Registration is Required

Stitch 'n Time is a volunteer-based textiles club where members enjoy learning about the cultivation of fleece, dyeing of wool, and colonial textiles. Club members join Foundation staff and other textile artists to use wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep to card, spin, and knit. The club is open to novice and expert spinners and knitters, as well as those handy with a sewing needle or sewing machine to make costumes for our interpreters.

Additional 2010 Club Dates:

February 27
March 27
April 24
May 22
June 26
July 24
August 28
October 23

To become a Stitch 'n Time Club Volunteer please call Anjela Barnes at 301.283.2113, ext. 34 or email.

February back to top

HELP PRESERVE MARYLAND’S BLUEBIRDS

Saturday, February 6, 2010
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Education Center
Free, Registration is Required
Snow Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Accokeek Foundation has an excellent habitat for bluebirds and maintains over 30 nesting boxes along the Ken Otis Bluebird Trail, which are monitored seasonally by volunteers. We are seeking volunteers to join us Saturday, February 6th as we repair and build new nesting boxes for the 2010 monitoring season. To learn about more volunteer opportunities, please click here.

SHRUB AND TREE PRUNING

Saturday, February 27, 2010
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$20 Non-Members, $15 Members
Pre-registration required, 5 people minimum

By using proper pruning techniques, you can create healthier plants, save time and money, and stay safe. In this hands-on class we will discuss tools, ground-based pruning methods, when to prune, and important safety information. Please bring work gloves and safety glasses if you have them. Come dressed to work outside.

March back to top

BACKYARD POULTRY

Saturday, March 6, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine, $40 Non-Members, $35 Members
Pre-registration required, 5 people minimum

Would you like to have farm fresh eggs from your own back yard? Raising poultry is a great way to have a ready supply of fresh eggs, control insect pests, and practice sustainable agriculture at a small scale. This class will provide you with the information you need to successfully raise your own flock. Participants will receive a handbook and other take-home materials.

RAIN BARREL VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR ORIENTATION

Saturday, March 6, 2010
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine, Free

We are seeking volunteer instructors for the rain barrel workshops held at the Accokeek Foundation. All volunteer instructors are required to attend the Rain Barrel Instructor Orientation and Workshop, which will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. To inquire about volunteering as a rain barrel instructor please call Anjela Barnes at 301.283.2113, ext. 34 or email.

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP

Saturday, March 6, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Workshop FREE
Rain barrels may be purchased for $90
Education Center, Rain or Shine
You may register for the workshop even if you decide not to purchase a barrel.

Here's your chance to save money and help the environment! Collecting and reusing rainwater will save money on your water bill, and decrease the impact of runoff on our waterways. Every inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet yields 623 gallons of water. That's water you can use for free! The workshop will cover installation, maintenance, and landscaping. For more information, please call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation here. This workshop is a partnership with The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.

ADVANCED ORGANIC GARDENING

Class 1: Friday, March 12, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Class 2: Saturday, March 13, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Class 3: Saturday, March 20, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Education Center, Rain or Shine
$90 Non-Members, $75 Members
Pre-registration required, 5 people minimum.

Join Ecosystem Farm Manager, Mike Snow, and Horticulturist, Alexia Savold, for an advanced look at organic gardening practices. The class will take place over 3 days and provide an in-depth look at various topics such as planning, seed starting, soil fertility, composting, and cover cropping as well as hands-on work at the Ecosystem Farm and Museum Garden. Some gardening experience required.

BLUEBIRD MONITOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Sunday, March 21, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine, Free

Each year, from March through August, volunteers take turns monitoring the nesting boxes along our Bluebird Trail. Volunteers are trained and oriented prior to the season, which includes a guided hike along the trail. Interested volunteers should contact the volunteer coordinator by calling 301.283.2113. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothing appropriate for walking in tall grasses and on various terrains.

SHARED TRADITIONS: – Weaving: The Art of Eastern Woodland Indian Finger Weaving (Workshop) with Rico Newman and Tony Windsor of the Piscataway Conoy

Saturday, March 27, 2010
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$7 Non-Members, Members Free

"Shared Traditions" is a new series that examines heritage crafts from a cross-cultural perspective. This year we focus on weaving, and begin with a look at Eastern Woodland Indian finger weaving presented by Rico Newman and Tony Windsor of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe. Finger weaving, also called Indian braiding, goes back hundreds of years. This technique would often be employed to make belts, garters and burden straps to carry wood, baskets, crops, and back boards on which infants were secured. In this workshop, each participant will be encouraged to utilize a practice board to get familiar with hand and finger movements to make basic designs. With practice, several will no doubt become accomplished weavers in this ancient art!

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, March 27, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center

Stitch 'n Time is a volunteer-based textiles club where members enjoy learning about the cultivation of fleece, wool dying, and colonial textiles. Club members will use wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep to card, spin, and knit. The club is open to novice and expert spinners and knitters, as well as those handy with a sewing needle or sewing machine to make costumes for our interpreters. The Stitch 'n Time Club meets monthly on the 4th Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Education Center.

To become a Stitch 'n Time Club Volunteer please call Anjela Barnes at 301.283.2113, ext. 34 or email.

April back to top

CHILDREN'S DAY

Saturday, April 3, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Children’s Day Fee: $5 Non-Members, Members Free.
Chicken and the Egg Workshop Fee: $10 Non-Members, $8 Members.
Admission for Children's Day will be waived for participants in Chicken and the Egg workshop.

Join us for part or all of this day full of educational and entertaining activities! Features of this event subject to cancellation due to weather.

9:00 a.m.-Chicken and the Egg Workshop, Barnyard: We’ll tour the barnyard, talk about heritage breed chickens, and enjoy hands-on interaction with chicks. We’ll also use natural dyes to dye eggs. Workshop fee: $10 Non-Members, $8 Members. Limited to 30 participants. Pre-registration required. Call 301.283.2113 or register online.

11:00 a.m.-Performance of Wally the Water Bottle Followed by Mini River, Education Center: The National Children’s Museum returns with their puppet show of “Wally the Water Bottle” (appropriate for ages 4 and up). After learning from Wally about how damaging litter is to the river’s ecosystem, families will gather trash from the shore of the Potomac in this mini-river cleanup. Click here to visit the National Children's Museum website.

12:00 p.m. Colonial Kids-Where’s Ben?, National Colonial Farm: Mrs. Bolton needs her son’s help, but he is nowhere to be found. As children assist with chores at the National Colonial Farm, they will gather clues to the mystery of “Where’s Ben?”, and will then embark on a guided search for Ben.

Participates! We would love your feedback about your Children's Day event experience. Please take a few minutes to complete our online event survey today.

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, April 6, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we�d like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We will also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursday, April 8, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Ecosystem Farm Volunteer Days will be held every 2nd Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, April 8, 2010 through Thursday, November 11, 2010. Volunteers will help by tending to the fields, weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or groups with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early as a brief, dedicated tour will be given promptly at 1:00 p.m. Please be prepared to work in the outdoors wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, hats, snacks, plenty of water, and to be prepared to work outdoors.

Individuals or groups interested in participating in the 2nd Thursday Ecosystem Farm Volunteer Days, should call or email the volunteer coordinator.

POTOMAC RIVER CLEAN UP

Saturday, April 10, 2010
9:00 a.m. to Noon
Education Center, Rain or Shine, Free

The Accokeek Foundation will be hosting a neighborhood cleanup site as part of the Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. Join us Saturday, April 10, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon as we remove trash from the shoreline of the Potomac River. Wear boots, gloves, and clothing appropriate for slippery and wet conditions. This is an excellent opportunity for student service-learning credit or group volunteers! Please call ahead or register online and let us know you will be participating.

Groups interested in participating please contact Anjela Barnes at 301.283.2113, ext. 34 or email.

This year’s cleanup will take place at over 300 sites in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia - all part of the lands, or watershed, that drain into the Potomac. Locations include fields, forests, parking lots and other ‘inland’ sites, where the trash can be removed before it enters creeks and other waterways. Additional cleanup sites throughout the region need volunteers too! Visit Potomac Clean Up or call 301.292.5665 for a complete list of cleanup sites and to find out more about cleanup sites in the region.

The Cleanup headquarters is the Alice Ferguson Foundation, 2301 Bryan Point Road in Accokeek. Call 301.292.5665 for a local site and spokesperson in your community. Visit the Alice Ferguson Foundation to learn more about its environmental education programs and Trash-Free Potomac Watershed initiative.

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP

Saturday, April 10, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Workshop FREE
Rain barrels may be purchased for $90
Education Center, Rain or Shine
You may register for the workshop even if you decide not to purchase a barrel.

Here's your chance to save money and help the environment! Collecting and reusing rainwater will save money on your water bill, and decrease the impact of runoff on our waterways. Every inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet yields 623 gallons of water. That's water you can use for free! The workshop will cover installation, maintenance, and landscaping. For more information, please call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation here. This workshop is a partnership with The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK – VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PICNIC

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Volunteering begins: 9:00 a.m.
Picnic Reception immediately follows
Education Center, Circle

April 17–23, 2010 is National Volunteer Week, celebrating and acknowledging the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service. Lend your hands by volunteering around the Park with activities such as trail maintenance, work in the gardens, and on invasive plant removal. Whether you join us for the morning volunteering activities or not, mark your calendars and join us, along with your fellow volunteer-peers, for a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic honoring all of the Foundation’s volunteers. Please let us know you’re coming by calling 301.283.2113, ext. 34 or emailing us. To learn about more volunteer opportunities, please click here.

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES
Last Minute Vegetable Gardening

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
Free

Would you like to grow your own vegetables this year but have been way too busy to prepare a garden? It is not too late to get started growing your own food. On April 20th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we will present, �Last Minute Vegetable Gardening� which will discuss various growing methods that require very little advanced preparation and produce delicious, organic vegetables for the entire growing season. We will discuss sheet mulching, container growing, and �instant bed� growing methods. This presentation will kick off the Foundation�s Third Tuesday Presentation Series. On the third Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time, we will host a different presentation covering topics related to agriculture, the environment, history, and sustainability. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

SHARED TRADITIONS– Weaving: African American Weaving – A Personal Journey (Talk) with Karen Hampton

Saturday, April 24, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$7 Non-Members, Members Free

“Shared Traditions” is a new series that examines heritage crafts from a cross-cultural perspective. This month artist and scholar Karen Hampton will share the story of her ancestors and their journey from Florida through the Caribbean, New York, Pennsylvania, and New England from the mid-1700s to the present. Using information uncovered during this personal journey and discovery of her African American roots, Karen weaves beautiful, new artwork. To see the art of Karen Hampton, please visit her website.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, April 24, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

Click here for a full description of this volunteer-based club.

May back to top

DIY WORM COMPOSTING

Saturday, May 1, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Education Center, Rain or Shine
Per Family: $50 Non-members, $40 Members
Pre-registration required, minimum 5 adults with children

Effective Tuesday, April 27th, this workshop has been canceled. For more information, please contact the office at 301.283.2113.

Interested in composting at home but don't have the outside space to do it? Or, maybe, you want a home activity for the kids to be more earth conscious. Bring the kids and learn about vermiculture, or worm composting. In this hands-on class you will learn about red wiggler worms and their ability to transform your food waste into compost. We will construct worm bins to take home and provide bedding for the worms, as well as information on obtaining the worms for when you are ready.

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, May 4, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we�d like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We will also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available.

HAY FOR LIVESTOCK

Thursday, May 6, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$20 Non-members, $15 members
Pre-registration required, 5 people minimum

If you own or manage livestock, you are well aware of the expense of buying hay. Join Dr. Lester Vough and learn tips for making the best use of your hay dollar. In this workshop, you will learn how to choose the right hay for different livestock, how to evaluate the quality of hay, and how to find the best source for your hay. There will also be an opportunity to discuss hay production, storage, and planning. The workshop will include hands-on opportunities to see, feel, and smell samples of different types of hay and hay of different quality.

RAIN GARDENS

Saturday, May 8, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$20 Non-members, $15 members
Pre-registration required, 5 people minimum

Effective Wednesday, May 5th, this class has been canceled. For more information, please contact the office at 301.283.2113.

Rain gardens increase infiltration, decrease surface run-off from roofs, roads, and paved areas, and reduce the risk of flash flooding. In this workshop we will explore the different factors to consider when designing a rain garden such as cost, plant species, necessary tools, and location. Decrease your lawn space, increase soil, attract pollinators, reduce storm water runoff, and improve soil structure.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursday, May 13, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Click here for a full description of this volunteer activity.

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES
Gaia Theory - Model and Metaphor for the 21st Century

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
Free

This presentation is a continuation of the Foundation�s Third Tuesday Presentation Series. On the third Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time, we will host a different presentation covering topics to agriculture, the environment, history, and sustainability.

Gaia Theory is a scientific idea of Earth as a single living system. Join Martin Ogle of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to learn about this tantalizing idea as he explains, in layman's terms, the science, history and societal implications of Gaia Theory. How do oxygen and methane persist in stable concentrations in the atmosphere of the Earth? How have Carl Sagan, William Golding (author of "Lord of the Flies") and Vaclav Havel all contributed to the theory's development and use? And, how does Gaia Theory speak to global challenges ranging from climate change to energy use and to the work of conservationists and interpreters?

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Workshop FREE
Rain barrels may be purchased for $90
Education Center, Rain or Shine

Did you know that every inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet yields 623 gallons of water? Here's your chance to save money and help the environment! Collecting and reusing rainwater will save money on your water bill, and decrease the impact of runoff on our waterways. That's water you can use for free! The workshop will cover installation, maintenance, and landscaping. This workshop is a partnership with The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. When registering, please indicate how many rain barrels you would like to purchase.

For more information about the rain barrels we sell, please visit the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin website.

If you are unable to attend the workshop, but would like to purchase a rain barrel, please call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

COLONIAL HOME SCHOOL DAY

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Visitor Center, Rain or Shine
Registration Required by Monday, May 12th
$5.00 Per Person, Ages Over 2
Children 2 and Under are Free

Calling all homeschoolers! Join the Bolton Family at the National Colonial Farm and spend the day learning about life on a small tobacco farm in the mid-18th century. Children will learn about heritage breed farm animals, crops and gardens, and try their hands at colonial chores. Wear shoes and clothing appropriate for outdoor activities. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view of Mount Vernon. Drinks and snacks will be for sale at the Visitor Center. Registration is required, but payment will be taken at the Visitor Center on May 19th. For questions about the event, please contact MaryAlice Bonomo at 301.283.2113, ext. 28 or by email.

SHARED TRADITIONS– Weaving: On the Loom-Fabric and Weaving in the American Colonies

Saturday, May 22, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
Free--Fee Waived!

The final presentation in this year�s Shared Traditions series features noted author and researcher Mara Riley sharing her expertise in 18th Century textiles. Ms. Riley will examine the differences between domestic and imported fabrics and between production in the New England and Mid-Atlantic/Southern colonies.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, May 22, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

Click here for a full description of this volunteer-based club.

June back to top

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we�d like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We will also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available. Registration is not required. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Saturday, June 5, 2010
Guided trail walks at noon and 2:00 p.m., trails open all day
Visitor Center, Free

Celebrate National Trails Day on one (or more!) of our six trails: Bluebird Trail, Paw Paw Trail, Persimmon Trail, Blackberry Trail, Riverview Trail, Pumpkin Ash Trail. Special guided trail walks will be offered at noon and 2:00 p.m., but the trails will be open all day. Mark your calendar for a walk in the woods!

CANNING AND FOOD PRESERVATION SERIES

Per class: $20.00 Non-Member, $15.00 Member
Take One, Take Two, or Buy Three, Get One FREE!
$60 Non-member, $45 Member
Education Center

Preserve summer's bounty and enjoy it all year! In the food preservation series we'll discuss the equipment, recipes, tips and tricks, and the other information you'll need to process and preserve your harvest in a delicious, safe, and successful way. Each session can be taken individually, or you can take the entire series at a discount. We will have a canning demonstration, samples, and an informational packet for you to take home. Workshop instructor Marla Luther has a PhD in Food Science from the University of Maryland, is ServeSafe certified, and has been canning since childhood.

Register for the series!

Food Preservation Workshop
Saturday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Per class: $20.00 Non-Member, $15.00 Member
Take One, Take Two, or Buy Three, Get One FREE!
$60 Non-member, $45 Member
Education Center

This workshop will provide you with an overview of various preservation techniques as well as information you will need to guarantee safe, successful preservation. We will discuss canning basics, freezing, and drying as well as the equipment and techniques you will need to guarantee quality and safety. If you are new to food preservation, this class is a must, and if you have been doing this for a while, this class might provide you with some additional food for thought.

Canning Class I: Jams and Jellies
Saturday, June 5, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Per class: $20.00 Non-Member, $15.00 Member
Take One, Take Two, or Buy Three, Get One FREE!
$60 Non-member, $45 Member
Education Center

How would you like to make your own delicious jams and jellies to enjoy throughout the year? This class will be a hands-on learning experience and you will have the opportunity to taste samples, make a jar of jelly, and take home additional recipes and information.

Canning Class II: Low Acid
Saturday, June 12, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Per class: $20.00 Non-Member, $15.00 Member
Take One, Take Two, or Buy Three, Get One FREE!
$60 Non-member, $45 Member
Education Center

This class is a must for anyone who�d like to can their own vegetables, meats, soups, or processed foods using a pressure canner. Participants will receive important safety instructions, equipment advice, and numerous recipes as well as have an opportunity to use the proper equipment.

Canning Class III: High Acid
Saturday, June 19, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Per class: $20.00 Non-Member, $15.00 Member
Take One, Take Two, or Buy Three, Get One FREE!
$60 Non-member, $45 Member
Education Center

If you'd like to make your own pickles, can your own fruit, or preserve those extra tomatoes, this is the class for you. You will learn how to prepare your ingredients and can using a water bath. You will get important safety instructions and various tasty recipes to try at home.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursday, June 10, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Click here for a full description of this volunteer activity.

SPINNING FROLIC

Saturday, June 12, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Free

Come and see colonial textile artists in action! Visitors may observe members of the Stitch 'n Time Club as they card and spin wool from the farm's heritage sheep. For more information about the participating in the Stitch 'n Time Club, please contact Tricia Hardin.

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES
Sotweed: The Cultivation and Culture of that
"deceavable weed" in 18th Century Maryland

Tuesday, June 15, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

On the third Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time, we will host a different presentation covering topics related to agriculture, the environment, history, and sustainability.

This month Matt Mattingly, Manager of the National Colonial Farm, presents a talk that explains why tobacco was so important to colonial Marylanders not only as a cash crop but also as a measure of self worth. To understand the future of Maryland agriculture one should at least have a sense of its past. How did they grow it? Why? What effect did it have on the land? Were they as ignorant of tobacco's destructive effect on the soil as many believe? Were they in fact...sustainable?! Join us as we explore this part of Maryland's rich agricultural past! Registration is not required. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, June 26, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

Click here for a full description of this volunteer-based club.

ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION VISITS THE LAUNCH ZONE AT THE NATIONAL HARBOR

Saturday, June 26, 2010
Show Times: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
National Children's Museum Launch Zone
Free

As part of our ongoing partnership with the National Children's Museum, our fabulous museum theater interns will be performing at the National Children's Museum's Launch Zone at National Harbor on June 26th (112 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745). The show we've been cooking up is "Goldilocks and the Three Pigs," a tale about healthy eating.

Goldilocks discovers the terrible eating habits of the Pig family and decides to help them. This entertaining and educational fairy tale will be performed at 11 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm. The show is just fifteen minutes long and highly interactive. Bring the kids or the grandkids - it's going to be lots of fun!

ECOSYSTEM FARM TOUR

Sunday, June 27, 2010
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Check-in at the Visitor Center
Suggested $5.00 per person donation
Pre-registration Requested

Join Ecosystem Farm Manager, Mike Snow, for a tour of the farm. Visitors will learn about our innovative farming techniques, as well as why and how we use them. The tour will include an overview of organic growing methods, solarirrigation and pump systems, cover crop systems, bee keeping strategies, and more! For tours, we request a donation of $5 per person. Pre-registration is required, call 301.283.2113 or email.

July back to top

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, July 6 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we'd like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We will also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available. Registration is not required. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursday, July 8, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Click here for a full description of this volunteer activity.

COLONIAL VIGNETTES

Saturdays and Sundays, July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
2:30 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Free

Leading up to our Colonial Wedding on July 31st, the 2010 Museum Theater Interns will step into their colonial roles and perform scenes related to the impending nuptials at the National Colonial Farm. Come, visit, and enjoy a mini-performance every weekend in July!

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Meet at Education Center at 6:30p then head out on trails, Free

On the third Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time, we host a different presentation covering topics related to agriculture, the environment, history, and sustainability. This month we'll meet at the Education Center and head out for guided nature walk with Matt Mulder, the Accokeek Foundation's Director of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship. A place of great natural beauty, Piscataway Park is home to bald eagles, beaver, deer, fox, osprey, and many other species. The park offers two boardwalks over fresh water tidal wetlands, a variety of nature trails, meadows, and woodland areas, each with unique features. The nature walk will range from the native tree arboretum, around the conservation pond and agricultural fields, through a riparian forest buffer, along the river's edge, and over the boardwalk to the Ecosystem Farm. Join us for this revealing look at the natural areas of Piscataway Park! Please wear comfortable shoes for hiking and dress to be outdoors. We recommend strongly that you bring water and your preferred insect repellent for the walk. Registration is not required, but it is recommended. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, July 24, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

Click here for a full description of this volunteer-based club.

A COLONIAL WEDDING (Colonial Day)

Saturday, July 31, 2010
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Weather Permitting (check the website or call for updates)
$7 Non-members, $5 Members, Children 12 and Under are free
Payable at the gate or in advance by registering online.

Join the celebration at the National Colonial Farm. It is 1775 and Chloe Bolton, daughter of a middling tobacco planter, is getting married. Set outdoors against the backdrop of the farm's fields and historic farm house (c. 1770), this highly interactive performance will highlight Maryland's rich Colonial history through an entertaining look at marriage.

The evening festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. (with pre-event music at 5:30 p.m.). Bring a picnic dinner to eat at one of our picnic tables near the Potomac River (and a wonderful view of Mount Vernon).

August back to top

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, August 3, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we'd like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available. Registration is not required. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursdays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Beginning Thursday, August 5, 2010 through Thursday, November 11, 2010 the Accokeek Foundation's Ecosystem Farm will host weekly volunteer days. Volunteers will help by tending to the fields, weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or groups with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early as a brief, dedicated tour will be given promptly at 1:00 p.m. Please be prepared to work in the outdoors wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, hats, snacks, and plenty of water.

Individuals or groups interested in participating in the 2nd Thursday Ecosystem Farm Volunteer Days, should call or email the volunteer coordinator.

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES
"Greening" Your Roof

Tuesday, August 17, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

How would you like to save money, improve the environment, and be more comfortable all at the same time? One way to do each of things is to think green when planning for the future of your roof. Living roofs, and other "Green" roofs, can save you money on heating and cooling, often have longer life spans than conventional roofs, help to prevent flooding and pollution, and help to cool the area around the roof. These are just a few of the benefits of choosing a more sustainable roof. This presentation will discuss the benefits, types, components, and logistics of installing green roofing systems. We will also "tour" the Accokeek Foundation's green roof which was installed in 2008. For more information or to register, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, August 28, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

Click here for a full description of this volunteer-based club.

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ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Click here for a full description of this volunteer activity.

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we'd like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available. Registration is not required. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, September 18, 2010
(Note: the September club meeting will be held on the 3rd Saturday)
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

The Stitch 'n Time Club is a volunteer-based club where members enjoy learning about the cultivation of fleece, wool dying, and colonial textiles. Club members will use wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep to card, spin, and knit. The club is open to novice and expert spinners and knitters, as well as those handy with a sewing needle or sewing machine to make costumes for our interpreters. Join Foundation staff and textile artists from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Education Center. For more information call 301.283.2113 or email.

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES
Gardening for Wildlife with Nature's Original Heirlooms

Tuesday, September 21, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

What if you could have a home landscape that would be more beautiful than you can imagine; attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds (whether you ever put up a bird feeder or not); provide an attractive and unique place for your children to play and learn; cut down on your mowing, fertilizing and watering chores; reduce the need for pesticides around your home; and provide a welcome sense of peace and restfulness? Come and join us for a "how-to" program including visual tours of mid-Atlantic native plants and native plant gardens, discussion of why native plants matter, advantages to landscaping with natives, and how to go about getting started with planting natives in your own home landscape. For more information call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

Ann Bodling has been involved in conservation or horticultural pursuits for all of her adult life. She has worked as a garden extensionist in Southern Africa, and later worked for various greenhouses and garden centers in Pennsylvania, including working for a native plant nursery in southern PA. She also owned her own small gardening business, providing native plant and habitat gardening consultations and gardening services for people who enjoyed gardens but had difficulty caring for them. In Pennsylvania she had been planting her own yard with native plants for the last 15 years and has begun all over again here in Accokeek. She currently is a naturalist at Hard Bargain Farm, sharing her love of the land and its creatures with school children and adults.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

Saturday, September 25, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Rain or Shine
$5 admission, Members free
Children 2 and under free

"Common Ground: Connecting Food, Land, and History" will be an entertaining exploration of African American culture with a special focus on foodways of the region. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the event honors the role that African Americans have played in our regional and national history and culture. Listen to the Archie Edwards Blues Foundation perform songs about food. Learn the history of African American foodways in the region as Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson leads a panel of scholars and experts. Hear Jim Cummins, Director of the Living Resources of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, talk about fish in the Potomac, and then participate in a fishing lesson at the Accokeek Foundation's popular fishing pier. Enjoy an Iron Chef competition organized by Ronald LeGrand, who has volunteered for many years with Real Men Cook. Other attractions include artist Lorina Harris guiding young and old in making art with food, a "market' area with food vendors including Damian Mosley of Blacksauce Kitchen and 'Doc" Shields, and entertainment by Vera Oye Yaa-Anna, a West African culinary storyteller. Foodways expert Michael Twitty will give living history foodways demonstrations in the kitchen area of the farm. Actors in our award-winning museum theater program will present a short performance crafted from oral history interviews gathered at last year's African American Heritage Day. For more information please contact Dr. Lisa Hayes via email.

View the online event flyer.

African American Heritage Day is supported by a grant from the Washington Post and from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

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EDIBLE FOREST GARDENS WORKSHOP

Friday, October 1, 2010 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Education Center
$250 Non-members, $200 Members
Pre-registration required. Register online or by calling 301.283.2113
A list of local lodging options including camping is available on request.

Imagine a garden that looks and acts like a forest - full of trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers - and you can eat it all! Edible forest gardens mimic the structures and functions of natural woodland ecosystems, while producing food and other products, with an emphasis on low-maintenance perennial crops. Design and plant selection help provide fertility, control of weeds and pests, and more. Come for a hands-on introduction to this fascinating and delicious approach to food production.

Eric Toensmeier is the award-winning author of Perennial Vegetables and co-author of Edible Forest Gardens. He has studied Permaculture and useful plants for twenty years.

View and print event flyer (PDF).

WOOL DYEING AND SPINNING FROLIC

Saturday, October 2, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Free

Come and see colonial textile artists in action! Visitors may observe members of the Stitch 'n Time Club as they dye, card, and spin wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep. For more information about the participating in the Stitch 'n Time Club, please contact Tricia Hardin.

LOCAL FOOD FORUM

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

One of the great things about Southern Maryland is the availability of local food. Depending on your tastes, you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and meat all within a short drive for a good portion of the year. If you are interested in finding and eating locally grown food, or you are interested in creating a better market for the food you grow or produce, we'd like to invite you to our free Local Food Forum. The Forum meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month during Daylight Savings Time. Meet local producers and learn about the foods that are grown and produced locally. We also talk about how and where to find local food, and work as a group to make local food more available. Registration is not required. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

MONEY, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING FOR FARMERS

Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2010
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
$100 Non-members, $80 Members
Register online in advance as space is limited.

This four-session course will help new and existing farmers gain important skills in business planning, marketing, and money and business management. Course instructor Ginger Myers (Regional Agricultural Marketing Specialist, University of Maryland Extension) and guest presenters will provide the tools to help participants make the sound financial and business decisions crucial to the success of a sustainable agriculture enterprise.

Registration fee includes a provided textbook which will be sent in advance of the course. Participants will be given assignments from the text to be completed in advance of the course.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Click here for a full description of this volunteer activity.

THIRD TUESDAY PRESENTATION SERIES
A Potomac River EcoHistory

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

The quiet, muddy river flowing past Accokeek today has a fascinating history that embraces not only people but the land, water and ecological communities on its banks as well. In this slide program, Mr. Hayden Mathews, regional ecohistorian and former Accokeek Foundation tour guide, will look at how the river shaped the land over the millennia, supported and challenged those settling along its banks, and served as a major artery of settlement and trade since the time of Captain John Smith. Blending geology, ecology, and the many facets of cultural history, this presentation will open your eyes to less familiar but intriguing aspects of Potomac River history and afford a broad ecohistorical context within which to better appreciate the "Nation's River." For more information call 301.283.2113 or email the Foundation.

STITCH 'N TIME TEXTILES CLUB

Saturday, October 23, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Education Center, Free

Click here for a full description of this volunteer-based club.

TWILIGHT TALES

Saturday, October 30, 2010
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Visitor Center
$10 Non-members, $7 Members

As the sun sets over the Potomac River, experience a tale of mystery and intrigue as you are led by lantern through the National Colonial Farm. Who is hovering over the fire in the log kitchen? Is that an animal or an apparition in the shadows? The quarter-mile journey will carry you over gravel paths and grassy fields, so come prepared to walk (or run!). Hot apple cider will be provided. Audiences of all ages are welcome (may not be appropriate for children under 8).

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GOING GREEN HOMESCHOOL DAY

Wednesday, November 3, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mini River Clean-Up to follow at 12:30 p.m.
Education Center
Ages 3 and over: $5 per person
Children 2 and under are Free
Registration is available online

Calling all Homeschoolers! Join us for this environmental-themed tour! Learn about composting (worm and traditional) and how to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle in your daily life. See solar ovens in action and learn how to make and use your own! Children will leave with a greater appreciation for conservation methods and sustainable living. The day will conclude with a family-friendly, mini river clean up of the Potomac River. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view of Mount Vernon! Drinks and snacks will be for sale at the Visitor Center. Reserve your space today and register online. For questions about the event, please contact MaryAlice Bonomo by email.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY

Thursdays, November 4 and 11, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Check-in at Visitor Center

Click here for a full description of this volunteer activity.

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WINTER'S EVE

Saturday, December 4, 2010
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Rain or Light Snow Showers
$2 Fee or a Canned Food Donation

Kick off the winter season with our annual Winter's Eve celebration. Tour the seasonally-decorated National Colonial Farm as 18th century lanterns light the way. Join us for cider, cookies, popcorn, and singing carols by the fire. The Museum Gift Shop will be open and stocked with unique gifts for all your holiday shopping. Food donations support a local food bank.