Small Space, High Yield Gardens Workshop

July 2, 2009

This workshop and food independence celebration shared secrets of growing lots of delicious food in a small space. The LFP crew also debuted a new skit, with guest appearances by friends of the Local Food Project. Learn more.

The Organic Garden Primer Workshop

May 21, 2009

The first evening workshop of the summer season, this event shared tips and techniques on organic gardening basics. Guest grower Emily Cook (The Farm at Sunnyside) shared her insights into sustainable agriculture. Learn more.

The Integrated Homestead: Elaborating the Theme

April 17-18, 2009

Local homesteader Harvey Ussery provided another great workshop with even more practical information on running a successfully integrated homestead. Participants learned about fungi, vermin-composting, brood hens, and more! View details.

Skills, Scale, Sustainability

April 3-5, 2009

In this 2.5-day workshop, agricultural consultant Shane J. LaBrake emphasized the importance of tailoring farm design to match the unique skills, resources, and preferences of the individual grower. Attendees also had the opportunity to get outside and learn about tractor safety and hoophouse vegetable production. Read more.

Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is It Right for You?

March 11 and 25, 2009

This two-session course helped landowners explore options for bringing a farmer onto their land. Guest speakers talked about their own land-lease arrangements and shared essential information for developing a farmer-landowner partnership. Read more.

Half Pint and Essex: A Tale of Two Farms
A Winter Forum on Farm Systems Design

January 9, 2009

The Local Food Project brought over 100 backyard gardeners, farmers, and local food advocates to Airlie for a dynamic day of learning, networking, and hands-on demonstrations. Two farms from the Northeast—Half Pint (Burlington, VT) and Essex (Essex, NY)—shared in-depth presentations on the unique and innovative systems that make their farms successful and sustainable. Read more and access content from the event.

Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right for You?

November 6, 13, 20 and December 4, 2008

This course helped participants evaluate their small farm dreams and guided them in deciding next steps. The Local Food Project will be holding this event again in 2009. If you’re interested in attending, read more about the course.

Annual Harvest Dinner

September 7, 2008

The Local Food Project at Airlie held its annual Harvest Dinner that provides an opportunity for local food growers, advocates, chefs, and other community members to come together for delicious food and inspiring discussion. Airlie Center’s Executive Chef Jeff Witte developed a multi-course meal using ingredients from the LFP garden and other local sources, accompanied by Virginia wines. Read more about the event.
Download skit script — You Can’t Eat an Acronym

Year-Round Organic Garden workshop

August 7, 2008

This workshop featured an up-close look at the Passive Solar Greenhouse in the Local Food Project garden, plus low-cost strategies for season extension and winter vegetable harvest.
Download skit script — Let’s Get 'Em: A Man Hunt for Safe Food

Small Space, High Yield Gardens workshop

July 2, 2008

This workshop featured the Local Food Project’s ongoing experimentation and experience with intensive organic food production, inspired by the work of John Jeavons, Director of Ecology Action and author of How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine. Download skit script — Food Fight: A Gardening Morality Tale

Organic Garden Primer workshop

May 8, 2008

Local Food Project Director Pablo Elliott covered the basics of effective organic gardening, from healthy soil building to natural pest management to the wonderful world of compost! Pablo demonstrated his simple hand methods for preparing garden beds and improving clay soil.

Tractor Safety, Use and Maintenance

April 10-11, 2008

In this hands-on workshop Shane LaBrake (Accokeek, MD), an agricultural consultant with over fifteen years of organic vegetable production experience, guided participants in developing the knowledge and confidence to safely and effectively use a tractor on a small farm.

The Modern Integrated Homestead workshop and follow-up tour

March 28-29, 2008

This one-day seminar given by Harvey Ussery (Hume, VA) provided participants a close-up view of the integrated, multi-functional system Harvey continues to evolve on his modern homestead. A frequent contributor to Mother Earth News and Backyard Poultry, Harvey shared a wealth of experience and innovation in holistic, synergistic, and energy-savvy backyard food production. The follow-up tour provided tour participants an up-close look at Harvey’s synergistic food project in action.

Vegetable Variety Roundtable

February 3, 2008

A panel of local farmers came together to share their favorite varieties of the most common veggies—from tomatoes and garlic, to melons and potatoes. These expert food producers shared tips for growing, harvesting, and eating these unique and flavorful varieties. Download panel discussion notes

Local Food Project home

				Past Projects and Events Small Space, High Yield Gardens Workshop July 2, 2009 This workshop and food independence celebration shared secrets of growing lots of delicious food in a small space. The LFP crew also debuted a new skit, with guest appearances by friends of the Local Food Project. Learn more. The Organic Garden Primer Workshop May 21, 2009 The first evening workshop of the summer season, this event shared tips and techniques on organic gardening basics. Guest grower Emily Cook (The Farm at Sunnyside) shared her insights into sustainable agriculture. Learn more. The Integrated Homestead: Elaborating the Theme April 17-18, 2009 Local homesteader Harvey Ussery provided another great workshop with even more practical information on running a successfully integrated homestead. Participants learned about fungi, vermin-composting, brood hens, and more! View details. Skills, Scale, Sustainability April 3-5, 2009 In this 2.5-day workshop, agricultural consultant Shane J. LaBrake emphasized the importance of tailoring farm design to match the unique skills, resources, and preferences of the individual grower. Attendees also had the opportunity to get outside and learn about tractor safety and hoophouse vegetable production. Read more. Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is It Right for You? March 11 and 25, 2009 This two-session course helped landowners explore options for bringing a farmer onto their land. Guest speakers talked about their own land-lease arrangements and shared essential information for developing a farmer-landowner partnership. Read more. Half Pint and Essex: A Tale of Two Farms A Winter Forum on Farm Systems Design January 9, 2009 The Local Food Project brought over 100 backyard gardeners, farmers, and local food advocates to Airlie for a dynamic day of learning, networking, and hands-on demonstrations. Two farms from the Northeast—Half Pint (Burlington, VT) and Essex (Essex, NY)—shared in-depth presentations on the unique and innovative systems that make their farms successful and sustainable. Read more and access content from the event. Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right for You? November 6, 13, 20 and December 4, 2008 This course helped participants evaluate their small farm dreams and guided them in deciding next steps. The Local Food Project will be holding this event again in 2009. If you’re interested in attending, read more about the course. Annual Harvest Dinner September 7, 2008 The Local Food Project at Airlie held its annual Harvest Dinner that provides an opportunity for local food growers, advocates, chefs, and other community members to come together for delicious food and inspiring discussion. Airlie Center’s Executive Chef Jeff Witte developed a multi-course meal using ingredients from the LFP garden and other local sources, accompanied by Virginia wines. Read more about the event. Download skit script — You Can’t Eat an Acronym Year-Round Organic Garden workshop August 7, 2008 This workshop featured an up-close look at the Passive Solar Greenhouse in the Local Food Project garden, plus low-cost strategies for season extension and winter vegetable harvest. Download skit script — Let’s Get 'Em: A Man Hunt for Safe Food Small Space, High Yield Gardens workshop July 2, 2008 This workshop featured the Local Food Project’s ongoing experimentation and experience with intensive organic food production, inspired by the work of John Jeavons, Director of Ecology Action and author of How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine. Download skit script — Food Fight: A Gardening Morality Tale Organic Garden Primer workshop May 8, 2008 Local Food Project Director Pablo Elliott covered the basics of effective organic gardening, from healthy soil building to natural pest management to the wonderful world of compost! Pablo demonstrated his simple hand methods for preparing garden beds and improving clay soil. Tractor Safety, Use and Maintenance April 10-11, 2008 In this hands-on workshop Shane LaBrake (Accokeek, MD), an agricultural consultant with over fifteen years of organic vegetable production experience, guided participants in developing the knowledge and confidence to safely and effectively use a tractor on a small farm. The Modern Integrated Homestead workshop and follow-up tour March 28-29, 2008 This one-day seminar given by Harvey Ussery (Hume, VA) provided participants a close-up view of the integrated, multi-functional system Harvey continues to evolve on his modern homestead. A frequent contributor to Mother Earth News and Backyard Poultry, Harvey shared a wealth of experience and innovation in holistic, synergistic, and energy-savvy backyard food production. The follow-up tour provided tour participants an up-close look at Harvey’s synergistic food project in action. Vegetable Variety Roundtable February 3, 2008 A panel of local farmers came together to share their favorite varieties of the most common veggies—from tomatoes and garlic, to melons and potatoes. These expert food producers shared tips for growing, harvesting, and eating these unique and flavorful varieties. Download panel discussion notes Local Food Project home

Copyright © 2003 Airlie Foundation \| comments