Freezing

  Freezing is the safest method of food preservation and often times the easiest.  Many vegetables, and fruit can be frozen with little to no effort.  Here are some examples.  Note, most vegetables when frozen won't lend them self to raw dishes anymore as their texture is change, thus they are much better used in cooking applications.

  Tomatoes - There are many ways to freeze tomatoes.  You can make sauce and freeze it in quart bags.  You can take tomato slices and freeze them, then use later for pizza, paninis, etc.  Tomatoes can also be chopped or diced and then frozen, though they are generally blanched prior to freezing to remoze the skins.  Once defrosted, diced and chopped tomatoes are great for pastas, chilis, curries and soups.

  Bell/Hot Peppers - Peppers could not be easier to freeze.  Generally, you cut the peppers to whatever size you'd like (dice, chop, julienne) and then lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Put the baking sheet in the freezer for an hour, or until they are frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can then take your frozen peppers and use them for burritos, fajitas, stir fries and any other recipe calling for them.

  Basil - 

The following is a chart which illustrates what fruit they grow and when those fruits are available.

Certified Naturally Grown We are a Certified Naturally Grown farm.  For more information on what that means, please check Certified naturally Grown's website.

Takoma Voice Mike wrote a monthly column for the Takoma Voice for several years, you can bring up articles he wrote by typing his name into the search box.  Also, there are several articles written by Andrew Mefferd, a former farm worker, detailing his experience here at Licking Creek Bend Farm.  Again, you can search for those articles by typing his name into the search box.

Below are articles written by CSA members as well as farm staff

Visions of Vegetables Danced in My Head from CSA member, Lorig

Journal of an Organic Farm Worker, August 2003 from former employee, Andrew Mefferd

Journal of an Organic Farm Worker, October 2003 Andrew Mefferd

Journal of an Organic Farm Worker, November 2003 Andrew Mefferd

Newsletters

Archives of our monthly newsletter, in PDF form.

October 2010

August 2010

June 2010

301-587-1739 or via e-mail

*Full Season and Partial Season*

    For those who can stay one month or longer, we offer paying positions.  You will be expected to work 8 hours a day and sometimes more.  Our work week is Monday through Saturday.  Pay starts at $500 a month and increases by $100 each month you stay, up to $1000 your first season and $1400 your second.  We offer several housing options at Licking Creek Bend Farm.  You can either stay in a bedroom in the main house, or in a cabin without electricity.  Camping is also an option, for those interested.  The main house is avialable to all for kitchen and bathroom/shower use. We take people on for as little as one month, but we encourage those who really want the farming experience to stay for an entire season which runs from April to November.  

*Internships*

  These generally run for two weeks and are unpaid positions.  An intern's work day is 8 hours and we will house and feed them.  Internships are geared towards those who would like to experience what farming is like, but cannot commit to a longterm stay.

*Volunteers*

We also accept volunteers who would like to come out and work for a day or two or more and help out on the farm!  We have plenty of property to camp out on. You'll have a great time!

*Useful Skills*

1.    Have a driver's license.  (Any accidents?)  Can you drive a stick shift?
2.    Owning a car.  Allows you to take off on Sunday or week night
3.    Previous work outside or on a farm (but not essential)
4.    Carpentry, plumbing and electrical knowledge (helpful but not essential)

*Problem Areas*

1.    Night person.  Difficulty in getting up in the morning (Everyone’s up and going and you’re still sleeping!)
2.    Sloppiness - leaving messes, not washing dishes, etc
3.    Sexism and inability to relate to strong, capable women in a non-sexual way
4.    Dangling romances and unresolved relationships that keep you wondering if you really want to be working on the farm.  (Am I running away?)
5.    No Smoking.  Alcohol and drug abuse is not tolerated
6.    Intolerance.  Dietary, philosophical, religious, or political beliefs that interfere with your ability to work well with others and accept people who are different from you

We have about 8 acres of marginal land on which Christmas trees have proven to be a viable and earth-conscious choice.  Going against industry standards,  we grow trees without the use of herbicides (which stop the growth of weeds, but pollute the soil and water), pesticides or artificial colors.  The results have been attractive, natural-looking, fresh- cut trees free of pesticides, sprays or colors.  Although a lot more intensive manual labor has been used to grow them, we keep them affordable at $30 - 125  a tree.   

(the prices listed below are from  2012)

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE:

CHARLIE BROWN TREES

These trees are all imperfect and have their own character. $30

COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE

(The tallest of our trees – 6 ½ up to 12 ft).  Takes 22- 25 years to grow. Natural shape.  Great for candles or heavy ornaments.  Citrus- like aroma (sharpish needles).  $65 – 125.

DOUGLAS FIRS

Most popular tree.  Soft needles, nice aroma.  6 – 12 ft.  $50 – 100.

CON-COLOR FIRS

Soft needles, 6 – 9 ft.  $50 – 75.  Nice citrusy aroma!

WHITE PINE

These are the heirloom trees.  Soft needles, looks pretty.  Cannot support heavy ornaments though.  6 – 10 ft.  $45 – 95. Limited number each season

CANAAN FIRS

6-9 ft. Very Stylish.  Similar to Fraser Firs.  I have plenty.  $45 - $75.

LIVE TREES

$60 – 75.  Some years we have the option of burlap-wrapped, rooted trees.  However, if you want to use them they can only be kept in the house for a week, then placed in an unheated area for a week, and then planted outside.  They weigh 75 – 85 lbs.  Limited number.  Call soon to order.

DIG UP YOUR OWN TREE

If you want to come to our farm and dig and burlap a tree, you have to be able to transport it yourself.  Cost is $45.

TABLE TOP TREES

We will have some “table top” trees (3 – 4 ft).  What we do is cut some larger trees in such a way that the tree can grow back and be re-shaped.  These will sell for $30 – 35.

WREATHS/ROPING $9.00 but order soon.  Ditto with ordering roping.  Both limited.

If you are planning to give a tree as a gift to a teacher, a limited-income family, or community worker, you can have them contact me to come and pick one out.  You can give us a price range and we will steer them to the right trees.  We discount gift trees.

HOW TO ORDER:

Please email us and place your order (include your name, phone, type, size and where and when you want to pick up).  We'll bring trees down to Takoma Park about 2 times a week until Christmas.  We also come Saturday mornings to the Adams Morgan Farm Market until the last Saturday in December before Christmas.  If you’d like to ride up with Michael to the farm and pick out a tree, he’s glad to have company. We prefer payment by check.  Please mark your pick up date on your calendar. 

This year's farm day is SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013 from 11:00am - 4:30pm. (Should we need a rain date, check this website for the new date)If you are interested in attending please e-mail us and we'll put you on our mailing list, if you have any questions or for directions.  The farm is a lovely 2 hour drive from the DC area.