July Events Announced at the Accokeek Foundation

Contact: Julie Brunton
Phone: 301.283.2113 ext. 20
Email: outreach@accokeek.org

The Accokeek Foundation is pleased to announce several unique events for the month of July. At the Foundation's National Colonial Farm, the Colonial Foodways program allows visitors to meet costumed interpreters and learn about colonial foods and cooking methods. On the gardening front, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer a Troubleshooting/Plant Clinic class, as well as a gardening opportunity for children with its monthly Nature Nuts program. Children ages 3-5 will experience an enchanted landscape at the Foundation's Museum Garden, and see first hand what's blossoming.

Those interested in preserving their garden's bounty will enjoy the Canning Your Harvest workshop. We'll cover everything it takes to can delicious food safely and successfully.

For those with a desire to volunteer, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer two new exceptional opportunities. We'll be welcoming volunteers to the Foundation's Ecosystem Farm the third Wednesday of each month for weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is a wonderful chance for those with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship. For those volunteers interested in being a part of living history, the Stitch N' Time Textiles Volunteer Club will meet the 4th Saturday of each month to sew, knit, spin, and weave materials for use at the Foundation's National Colonial Farm.

TROUBLE SHOOTING/PLANT CLINIC
Wednesday July 15, 2009, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
Cost per class is $30 for Non-Members, $25 for Members.
Bring your photographs, stories, and descriptions of the insects, plant diseases, and other challenges that you are facing in your garden. Our staff will assist you in identifying the cause of your woes and help you to strategize a solution in dealing with them. Take home materials will be provided.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY
Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ecosystem Farm, Free
The Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm is the Accokeek Foundation's USDA-certified organic vegetable farm. Located on an eight-acre field along the Potomac River in Accokeek Maryland, the farm is a model for farming for the future. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early as a brief, dedicated tour will be given promptly at 1 p.m. 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. 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.

COLONIAL FOODWAYS
Saturday, July 18, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
National Colonial Farm, Rain or Shine, Admission Fee Required, Members Free
Love food? Ever wonder how people cooked before microwaves or what people ate before fast food? Join us the 3rd Saturday monthly as costumed interpreters demonstrate preparation of fashionable foods favored by the tobacco-growing gentry in Prince George's County, Maryland on the eve of the American Revolution. Demonstrations vary monthly, and involve seasonally available foods, colonial implements and methods.

NATURE NUTS
Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to Noon
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$6.00 Non-Members, $5.00 Members
Limited to 15 Children, Ages 3-5, Registration Required
This fun-filled hour of exploration at the National Colonial Farm's Museum Garden is the perfect setting to learn about the wonders of nature. Designed for children ages 3-5, the children will hear a story, create a craft project, and go on an outdoor adventure. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

STITCH N' TIME TEXTILES CLUB VOLUNTEERS
Saturday, July 25, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Museum Out Kitchen, Rain or Shine, Free
Ewe like knitting? Sewing? Spinning wool? Then bring your wheels and needles and be a part of living history at the Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm. 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. For those more handy with a sewing needle, join us in creating 18th century clothing for our costumed interpreters. And if you know how to use a Leclerc four harness loom, come do some weaving!

CANNING YOUR HARVEST
Saturday, July 25, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Education Center, Rain or Shine
$15 Members, $20 Non-Members
Please register for the workshop by Monday, July 20.
Preserve summer's bounty and enjoy it all year! This workshop will include a canning demonstration as well as a thorough discussion of everything it takes to can delicious food safely and successfully. We will have some samples for tasting, an informational packet for you to take home, and will discuss other methods of food preservation. Our instructor will be Marla Luther, who has a PhD in Food Science from the University of Maryland, is certified in safe food handling and processing, and has been canning the fruits and vegetables from her family's farm since childhood.