Maintaining a small local farm in an increasingly developed area of the DC suburbs is a difficult endeavor.  Eco Farms is one of DC’s last truly local farms and is in need of volunteers like you to increase its capacity.  Every Sunday, a small core group of volunteers who believe in supporting our local farms, getting outside in the sun and getting their hands dirty for a good cause come together to help Mike, the farmer, to plant, water, weed, and harvest.  With the help of this group of volunteers, this weekly effort will allow for the farm to be fully cultivated during the summer months.

Volunteers enjoy the educational component of farming, as well as the camaraderie.  Especially for individuals who are living in a city and working at desk jobs, getting outside and learning about the principles of bio-intensive agriculture, such as companion planting, etc., has significantly grown our interest in gardening back at home and in advocating for more local community gardens throughout the city.  We also have fun together!  We stick around to enjoy food together for a little bit afterwards, and to talk about things other than farming.

Wear closed toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty; long pants helps avoid ticks but is not mandatory.  We will be meeting at 12.30, and we will work rain or shine.  We arrive at the farm at 1 pm, put on sunblock, etc., then volunteer until about 4.  Then we gather for a small meal and talk together until 5 or 5.30, and then head out back to the city, returning around 6 if by car or slightly later if we take the metro back.

There is parking available at the farm, but carpooling or taking metro is encouraged! If you plan to take metro, go to the New Carrollton stop and exit on the Kiss&Ride side (not toward Rte. 50).  We’ll pick up volunteers at the metro at 1 pm; those driving to the farm directly should plan to arrive at 1 pm as well.

All those interested in volunteering should email laura.g.toscano@gmail.com, and indicate whether they’ll need to be picked up at the metro (include your cell phone #!) or will be driving directly.